Ivan Protega

Head of Retail JYSK

Ivan Protega is Head of Retail for JYSK West Balkans, leading strategy and operations across Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Serbia — a diverse and fast-evolving retail region requiring both precision in execution and clarity in leadership. With full responsibility for commercial performance and operational excellence, Ivan has consistently delivered strong, sustainable growth while leading large, multicultural teams through periods of significant disruption, including inflationary pressure, supply chain challenges and rapidly shifting customer expectations. His leadership is defined by the ability to simplify complexity, accelerate execution and translate strategy into measurable results at scale. Acting as a key link between JYSK's global leadership and the regional organization, Ivan ensures alignment between strategic direction and real-world implementation across multiple markets, balancing local dynamics with global priorities. What distinguishes Ivan is a rare combination of hands-on retail leadership and strong academic depth. His PhD focuses on the application of artificial intelligence in the retail industry, complementing two university degrees and strengthening his ability to connect academic insight with practical retail execution. Recognized early in his career, Ivan was named the youngest Manager of the Year in Croatia in 2015. His track record reflects a consistent ability to lead in complexity, build high-performing teams and deliver results even in the most demanding market conditions. At the CX Retail Exchange Europe, Ivan will share a pragmatic perspective on how retailers can move beyond theory — connecting strategy, technology and frontline execution to create real, scalable impact on both customer experience and business performance.