For outstanding achievements in business

The Finance Newspaper Award

The Finance Newspaper Award for outstanding achievements in business
The Finance Newspaper Award is a top accolade in the Slovenian business community, intended for those individuals and organisations that make a key contribution to economic development and to increasing social prosperity. It recognises achievements in scientific research, education and training, and journalism, as well as achievements in management, technological development and political work that bring new quality to the Slovenian business community, increase economic growth and reduce uncertainty among economic operators.

It confirms the long-term efforts of the winner (or organisation), which were consciously directed so that their effects would be lasting and beneficial for the wider social environment, and at the same time it recognises their results, which are clearly definable or measurable.

The winners to date are: Ivan Ribnikar, professor at the Faculty of Economics; Jože Stanič, former President of the Management Board of Gorenje; France Bučar, first President of the National Assembly; Stojan Petrič, President of the Management Board of Kolektor; Milan Kučan, former President of the Republic; Slavko Avsenik, musician; Jože Colarič, President of the Management Board of Krka; Vojko Čok, President of the Management Board of Banka Koper; Janez Škrabec, managing director of Riko; Spomenka Hribar, philosopher; Sandi Češko, President of the Management Board of Studio Moderna; Štefan Hoyer, President of the Management Board of the Jub Group; Ivo Boscarol, director of Pipistrel; Aleksander Zalaznik, Danfoss Trata; Melita Ferlež, Henkel Maribor; Jožica Rejec and Štefan Bertoncelj of Domel; Tina Maze, skier; Vladimir Rukavina, director of Narodni dom Maribor and father of the Lent Festival; Darko Brlek, artistic director and general manager of the Ljubljana Festival; Igor Akrapovič, owner of the Akrapovič Group; Janez Prašnikar, professor at the School of Economics and Business of the University of Ljubljana; Edi Kraus, head of the Ljubljana factory Aquafil Slovenija, formerly Julon; Silvan Peršolja, Klet Brda; Marjan Pipenbaher, Ponting; Gertrud Rantzen, Slovenian-German Chamber of Commerce from 2006 to 2022; and Srečko Šestan, Commander of the Civil Protection of the Republic of Slovenia.

Since 1999

Award winners to date

2025: Velimir Bole, mathematician and economist

2025

Velimir Bole, mathematician and economist

2024: Davorin Kračun, President of the Fiscal Council of the Republic of Slovenia

2024

Davorin Kračun, President of the Fiscal Council of the Republic of Slovenia

2023: Srečko Šestan, Commander of the Civil Protection of the Republic of Slovenia

2023

Srečko Šestan, Commander of the Civil Protection of the Republic of Slovenia

2022: Gertrud Rantzen, head of the Slovenian-German Chamber of Commerce from 2006 to 2022

2022

Gertrud Rantzen, head of the Slovenian-German Chamber of Commerce from 2006 to 2022

2021: Marjan Pipenbaher, bridge designer and entrepreneur

2021

Marjan Pipenbaher, bridge designer and entrepreneur

2020: Silvan Peršolja, head of the Klet Brda wine cooperative

2020

Silvan Peršolja, head of the Klet Brda wine cooperative

Portorož Business Conference

2018: Professor Janez Prašnikar

2018

Professor Janez Prašnikar

2017: Igor Akrapovič, entrepreneur

2017

Igor Akrapovič, entrepreneur

2016: Darko Brlek, artistic director and general manager of the Ljubljana Festival

2016

Darko Brlek, artistic director and general manager of the Ljubljana Festival

2016: Vladimir Rukavina, director of Narodni dom Maribor and father of the Lent Festival

2016

Vladimir Rukavina, director of Narodni dom Maribor and father of the Lent Festival

2015: Tina Maze, skier

2015

Tina Maze, skier

2014: Jožica Rejec and Štefan Bertoncelj of Domel

2014

Jožica Rejec and Štefan Bertoncelj of Domel

2013: Melita Ferlež, former director of Henkel Maribor

2013

Melita Ferlež, former director of Henkel Maribor

2012: Aleksander Zalaznik, Danfoss Trata

2012

Aleksander Zalaznik, Danfoss Trata

2011: Ivo Boscarol, director and owner of Pipistrel

2011

Ivo Boscarol, director and owner of Pipistrel

2010: Štefan Hoyer, former President of the Management Board of Jub

2010

Štefan Hoyer, former President of the Management Board of Jub

2009: Sandi Češko, co-owner and Chairman of the Board of Studio Moderna

2009

Sandi Češko, co-owner and Chairman of the Board of Studio Moderna

2008: Spomenka Hribar, social researcher and writer

2008

Spomenka Hribar, social researcher and writer

2007: Janez Škrabec, owner and director of Riko

2007

Janez Škrabec, owner and director of Riko

2006: Vojko Čok, former President of the Management Board of Banka Koper

2006

Vojko Čok, former President of the Management Board of Banka Koper

2005: Jože Colarič, President of the Management Board of Krka

2005

Jože Colarič, President of the Management Board of Krka

2004: Slavko Avsenik, musician

2004

Slavko Avsenik, musician

2003: Milan Kučan, former President of the Republic

2003

Milan Kučan, former President of the Republic

2002: Stojan Petrič, President of the Management Board of Kolektor

2002

Stojan Petrič, President of the Management Board of Kolektor

2001: France Bučar, first President of the National Assembly

2001

France Bučar, first President of the National Assembly

2000: Jože Stanič, former President of the Management Board of Gorenje

2000

Jože Stanič, former President of the Management Board of Gorenje

1999: Ivan Ribnikar, professor at the Faculty of Economics

1999

Ivan Ribnikar, professor at the Faculty of Economics