19. May 2025

Ivana Barać: We want to be a long-term partner for business in Croatia

Ivana Barać began her professional career as a broker and investment advisor and then spent a long time in the fast-moving consumer goods sector. Work in the financial sector helped her to better understand the market, business trends and decision-making processes, and to further develop her strategic planning skills. In this interview she talks about the specific features of the Croatian market, our current projects and Ivana’s impressions of working at Accolade.

 

What is Accolade’s reputation in Croatia?

People know that we are a strong group focused on investing in the development of modern and sustainable industrial parks and infrastructure for international companies in the retail and e-commerce, manufacturing and logistics sectors. They see that our projects foster growth in the areas we invest in, that they create new jobs and bring a number of benefits to local communities. Our goal is to be a good neighbour and create a pleasant working environment. The local people also appreciate the fact that we put sustainability and efficient energy use front and centre in all aspects of our business. They recognise that this can have a direct impact on their overall quality of life.

Croatia is now an attractive destination for investors.

Why did you decide to pursue a caree with Accolade?

I think our industry has excellent prospects. Croatia has many attractive areas with vacant land suitable for industrial development, including manufacturing, logistics, and distribution centres. In addition, lower labour costs compared to western Europe and neighbouring countries like Italy and Austria make Croatia very attractive to foreign investors from these regions. At the same time, the country’s potential in terms of industrial real estate is still undeveloped. There is only one million square metres of modern industrial space available for rent, while demand is much higher. All this opens up opportunities for further growth.

When deciding whether to join Accolade, I was particularly impressed by the company’s focus on the sustainability of its projects–it’s not just about investing in the construction of buildings, we’re shaping the future of European industry and logistics. For that reason, I saw the chance to become part of the team as a great opportunity for professional and personal growth, as well as a chance to be part of something that has a real long-term impact.

What Croatian projects are you working on?

We are currently working hard on our first industrial park in Croatia–Zagreb North, located in Donja Bistra to the north of Zagreb. It is an attractive location for European companies looking to expand their business in the region while being close to the ports of Rijeka and Koper. Key factors here are the proximity of the motorway and excellent connections between Zagreb, Ljubljana and Maribor, strategic routes to Austria, Slovenia, Hungary, northern Italy, and also to Belgrade in Serbia and further on to Istanbul. Plus the availability of a skilled workforce. At the same time, though, we’re also looking at other potentially attractive locations in various parts of Croatia.

Do you already know who your clients will be? 

We don’t start building until we know who the tenants will be. Clients’ needs vary because different corporations have specific criteria, and these criteria can change. We therefore tailor projects to the needs of the user’s business. Our potential future tenants include both domestic and international companies that already have a presence in the local market, as well as international brands that aren’t operating in Croatia yet. 

What has surprised you most since joining Accolade or working in the industrial real estate sector?

What surprised me most when I  joined Accolade was the strong entrepreneurial spirit that permeates the entire company. I had expected the environment of a traditional real estate company, but instead I found a young, highly motivated team at Accolade that is dynamic, thinks big, and supports each other. The speed with which decisions are made, projects are developed and new markets are entered is genuinely impressive. What binds us together is our common goal and ambition, and this energy is very inspiring. It’s great to be part of a company where innovation and initiative are not only welcome, but expected.

How would you rate the international cooperation between Accolade’s project teams?

One of the things I appreciate most about working at Accolade is how natural this feels. Although we operate in different countries, everyone is very approachable, supportive and willing to share their experiences and best practices. There is a real sense of unity–regardless of where you’re based, everyone is seen as part of one team. Communication is seamless, people are proactive, and we share a common approach to finding the ideal solutions. This creates an environment where collaboration is not only possible, but also natural and genuinely enjoyable. 

What are your strategic priorities for 2025? What professional goals would you like to achieve?

Our strategic priority is to gain a first-mover advantage in key logistics and manufacturing locations where demand for industrial space is growing. We want to offer high-quality, flexible buildings (for warehousing and light manufacturing) tailored to our clients’ needs. Our goal is to set ourselves apart through sustainability certifications and energy efficiency, which is particularly attractive to EU-based companies. We’re working hard to secure suitable land and build long-term relationships with local players.

We want to become established as a long-term partner for industrial growth in Croatia–to be highly visible on the local market and form strategic partnerships. Accolade is a well-known name in more developed markets, and our goal is for it to become synonymous with modern, high-quality industrial space in Croatia as well.

 

A new office for the Croatian Accolade team 

The move from a co-working space to our own modern office was an important milestone in the growth of our Croatian team. The move reflects Accolade’s commitment to creating a professional and people-centred environment that promotes collaboration and long-term development. The new office is thoughtfully designed in line with our sustainability values and provides ideal conditions for our work. “For me personally, it is a motivating space that reminds me of the progress and common goals we’re achieving in the company. Throughout Accolade, including our office, great attention is paid to the overall well-being and day-to-day comfort of the team–and that makes a big difference,” Ivana Barać says.