Andrej Božič, the boss of glassworks Steklarna Hrastnik, and Tomaž Kmecl, the director of power transformers maker Kolektor Etra, were awarded for extraordinary achievements in the segment of large companies.

In the medium-sized companies segment, the awards went to Albert Erman of magnet maker Magneti Ljubljana, Andrej Bajuk, the boss of switches and socket maker TEM Čatež, and Mariana Karla Rebernik, the director of chemical company Atotech Slovenija.

Jernej Zupančič, the director of Cleangrad, which produces clean rooms, was awarded in the segment of small and micro companies.

While the companies have strong performance indicators, the awarded directors also stressed their concern for the employees.

Božič highlighted the importance of "holistic leadership" which he said required a "balance with the environment - the social environment as well as nature".

Rebernik said that "we care about how our employees live and how they spend their time, not just at work."

GZS president Marjan Mačkošek said the accolades were "among the most desired and established awards in Slovenia". A total of 353 businessmen have been awarded so far.

The award ceremony saw calls for cooperation openness.

President Borut Pahor said it was necessary to strengthen strategic alliances in Europe and the world, noting that everyone, businessmen included should strive to "preserve our openness to Europe and the world".

Janez Škrabec, the boss of engineering company Riko and chair of the award commission, meanwhile noted that there was a generational shift taking place, with "the Harry Potter generation" slowly taking to business.

"The start is promising. Let's hope the old world of divisions does not trample over it," he said.