Ivan Paladina is a Croatian economist, consultant and politician who became the Minister of Spatial Planning, Construction and State Property in 2022. He was born on July 12, 1983 in Rijeka, then in SR Croatia. He graduated from the Faculty of Economics in Zagreb and completed specialist postgraduate studies in organization and management. In the business world, he built a career in human resources, construction and consulting sectors, and worked with HDZ as a non-partisan candidate. His mandate in the Government lasted from March 9 2022. until January 17 2023, and it was marked by restoration after the earthquake and disputed property-legal issues.
Early life and education
- Place and date of birth: Rijeka, 12. July 1983; Some sources state June 12, but official data from the Ministry state only the year of birth.
- Education: Graduated from the Faculty of Economics, University of Zagreb; Completed the specialist postgraduate program in organization and management.
- languages: He actively speaks English and Russian and uses Italian.
Paladina was born in Rijeka, grew up in Zagreb and directed his career towards economics and management. He also expanded his professional contribution through consulting work, and his knowledge of foreign languages, which helped him work with international investors, is happy to highlight.
Professional career before politics
Before entering politics, Paladina worked in a number of management positions:
- Adecco Croatia (2006–2008) – He was the director and sales manager.
- Development of Golf (2008) – For a year, he worked as an advisor to the director of the company that planned a golf-resort on Srđ above Dubrovnik. The project sparked public debates, and Paladina gained experience in the preparation of construction projects.
- Titan Group (2009–2011) – As a project manager, he collaborated with investors connected to the Russian Sberbank.
- Delta counseling – his own consulting company that he founded in 2014. Through her, he advised investors Sergej Gljadelkin in taking over Croatian construction companies.
- IGH Institute (2015–2017) – After the advisory role, he took over the position of president of the company’s Management Board. In an interview in 2015, he stated that he conducted an in-depth analysis and negotiations for the recapitalization of IGH and that he took over the management as part of the agreement with investors.
- hydroelectric civil engineering – member and later president of the Supervisory Board. Along with IGH, he participated in saving the company from bankruptcy.
- Kupari Luxury Hotels / Investment Avenue – With the Russian entrepreneur Sergei Gljadelkin, he founded a company that received a concession at the luxury resort Kupari. Singapore’s HPL Group bought 50 % in 2018, 40 % remained Avenue Investments, and Paladin kept Paladin 10 %. The project was at a standstill for years, and Paladina left IGH in 2018 to devote himself to Kupari.
- Hrvatska poštanska banka (HPB) – He worked as an advisor to the administration.
During his career, Paladina gained a reputation as connecting domestic companies with foreign investors. Critics emphasized his connections with Russian capital, but he claims that such cooperation ended before the ministerial mandate.
Minister of Spatial Planning, Construction and State Property (2022-2023)
Ivan Paladina on March 8 March 2022. proposed as a non-party HDZ candidate for minister of spatial planning, construction and state property. It was confirmed by the Parliament on March 9. Prime Minister Andrej Plenković pointed out that Paladina has experience in the construction and real estate sector and that it will speed up the reconstruction after the earthquake and reform the license issuing system.
Major tasks and challenges
- Reconstruction of Zagreb and Banovina – After the devastating earthquake in 2020, Paladin took responsibility for speeding up the renovation, but the pace of the works was slow.
- Reform of construction procedures – announced the digitization and simplification of permits issuance procedures.
- State property management – He planned to activate unused assets and attract investments.
After ten months of work, Paladin is 17. January 2023. resolved. It was replaced by Branko Bačić, and the Government cited the need for faster renewal and more efficient management of the department as the reason. Criticism also referred to the lack of urban experience and the perception that it favored investors.
Controversies and investigations
Connection with Russian investors
Cooperation with Russian entrepreneur Sergei Gljadelkin marked Paladina’s career. Through Delta consulting, he advised Gljadelkin when taking over IGH and other companies, and together they founded Kupari Luxury Hotels. Because of this, the media called him a “Russian player”, which Prime Minister Plenković rejected in Parliament, pointing out that Paladin has nothing to do with Russian companies in recent years.
IGH Institute investigation
In October 2023. The County Court in Zagreb opened an investigation against Paladina and two associates based on the criminal complaint of IGH. They are accused of selling part of the IGH real estate in 2017 below the market value and without the consent of the Supervisory Board, which caused damage of about 250 thousand euros. Paladina said in the media that no damage was done, because the bank wrote off the IGH debt by selling garage spaces.
In January 2024. The county court rejected his appeal, so the investigation became final; Paladina thus became one of several former ministers under investigation. The proceedings are ongoing, and the charges have not yet been proven.
private life
Information about Ivan Paladina’s private life is not available in detail. It is known that he is married and that his wife is active in the tourism sector, but the media reports that the family keeps away from the public. Paladina speaks English and Russian and uses Italian, which helps him in cooperation with international partners. There is no confirmed data on hobbies or political affiliation, except that he is not a member of any party.
heir and current affairs
After Paladin’s dismissal in January 2023. The department was taken over by Branko Bačić. In the following months, the Government continued to work on the renewal and implementation of the National Recovery Plan. Paladina has returned to the private sector and is engaged in consulting; An investigation related to IGH is still ongoing against him, and the court decision was not made until February 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who is Ivan Paladina?
Ivan Paladina is a Croatian economist, manager and former minister of spatial planning, construction and state property. He was born in 1983 in Rijeka, graduated in economics and worked as a consultant, director of IGH and adviser to HPB.
What education does Ivan Paladina have?
Paladina completed his economics studies at the University of Zagreb and specialist postgraduate studies in organization and management. He actively speaks English and Russian, and uses Italian.
Why was he dismissed from ministerial office?
He was dismissed on January 17 January 2023. Due to the unsatisfactory pace of renewal after the earthquake and the demand for more efficient management of the department. Criticisms concerned his connection with private investors and lack of urban experience.
What does it have to do with Russian investors?
Through the company Delta consulting, he collaborated with Russian entrepreneur Sergei Gljadelkin; Together, they took over the IGH Institute and founded a company for the Kupari project. Paladina claims that the business relationship ended before his ministerial mandate.
What investigations have been launched against him?
In 2023, the court in Zagreb opened an investigation due to the suspicion that, as the president of the board of IGH, he sold real estate below value and without consent, which allegedly damaged the company by about 250 thousand euros. In January 2024. His appeal was rejected, so the investigation continues. Paladina rejects the accusations and points out that no damage was caused.