“It’s exciting to use my skills to make a real difference and collaborate with amazing industry leaders on creative solutions for our clients” – interview with Iva Rogovic Lekic, new CEO of GrECo Specialty.
Could you tell us a bit more about your new position at GrECo? What will be the main area of your focus?
Rogovic Lekic: My new position is the CEO of GrECo Specialty, with my primary focus on expanding our business within the specialty portfolio across all 21 GrECo countries. I manage the Group Practice Leaders to achieve this goal, through close collaboration with country managers, specialty practice leaders, and competence centres in each country. My responsibility is to develop tailored solutions and proactive risk management strategies. Clients expect brokers to understand their unique needs, and I’m committed to delivering that understanding.
What made you choose to become a part of the GrECo in the first place?
Rogovic Lekic: Life always brings different circumstances! Nevertheless, I decided to join GrECo because the role aligns perfectly with what I was looking for, given my background in brokerage and the broader insurance and reinsurance field. I’m truly proud to be part of the largest broker in Central and Southeastern Europe, with a 100-year legacy on “the oldest continent”! It’s exciting to use my skills to make a real difference and collaborate with amazing industry leaders on creative solutions for our clients. It genuinely feels like a perfect match for my career goals!
How has your career path looked until this point?
Rogovic Lekic: My professional background is in aviation; I hold a master’s degree in aviation engineering and spent six years as a professional pilot flying for an airline. Sometimes, I think it was pure coincidence (or luck) that I became part of the insurance industry. While many people believe aviation is far more interesting than insurance, I think the combination of the two is what makes it truly fascinating. This is exactly what I can do now at GrECo Specialty.
After my pilot career, I transitioned into the insurance business, managing the broker channel at Triglav Insurance in Croatia. That’s how I became “hooked” on the broker business. I worked as executive director at two Croatian broker firms before joining Marsh McLennan, where I held the position of CEO in Croatia for five and a half years. The rest is history, and now it’s all part of my present!
Promoting our business as attractive and appealing is my favourite aspect of marketing—because that’s truly what our industry is. We have the power and potential to be as creative as we want, and young talents should be aware of that. We are an attractive employer.
Which challenges do you expect in your new role?
Rogovic Lekic: My biggest personal challenge is trying to slow down, as I’m driven by growth and new opportunities, which sometimes leads me to move too fast. As I approach the end of my first 100 days at GrECo, I can confidently say that our Group is truly unique—not just for promotional purposes. I genuinely enjoy my days at GrECo, the discussions with my closest specialty team, and the fresh ideas they bring to the table every day. I can see the excitement in their eyes when something new is on the horizon. Even though I sometimes struggle to remember which city I’m waking up in, I’m truly happy in my role—and even happier with my team.
What do you like about the insurance and risk management industry, and what keeps you motivated?
Rogovic Lekic: I love that, despite what some may think, it’s a genuinely interesting and creative business environment. We interact with a vast number of industries and professionals, from chemicals to aerospace, from human resources to accounting, and from telecoms to energy.
What keeps me motivated? Meeting new and incredibly interesting people every day and getting to see so many new places—what more could I ask for?
Could you tell us a bit more about yourself outside of work? How do you like to spend your free time?
Rogovic Lekic: Winters are for skiing, and I’m more than passionate about it! Summers are for kite surfing and skiing on glaciers. Evenings are for reading, and I honestly can’t imagine one without a book these past few months. I’m trying to spend less time on my phone than before—it’s tough, but I’m committed to doing my best.
I also have a passion that’s very important to me: interior design. I’ve designed a few offices, houses, and flats, and people say I have a knack for it. When I say “people,” I mean professional architects and designers. They even say I’m extremely talented, but I believe talent is only about 10% if it’s not backed by hard work. Since I often doubt myself, I’d likely enrol in an interior design school or university to kick off that career—though I guess I’ll wait until I retire to do that. I still have plenty of time! But yes, not a day goes by that I don’t “sneak a peek” into design books or websites.
Oh yes, I love to sing and have even taken singing classes. Sometimes, when I’m home alone, I can spend the entire afternoon and evening singing. I guess it’s a good thing nobody is listening, but I also post videos on social media, so no luck there. I am truly happy when I sing.
Iva Rogovic Lekic
CEO
GrECo Specialty
T +385 91 6122 425
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