RTV board member leaves for high-paying job

A member of the board of directors of RTV Slovenia has begun a well-paid position with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). Nevenka Črnko, who previously worked in banking and finance, telecommunications, business consulting, and the public sector, started her role in the EBRD's constituency office on October 1, 2024. Her mandate, which belongs to Slovenia, was originally scheduled to begin in August, but due to administrative procedures following her appointment, she will start later than planned. The ministry of finance stated that the position will remain vacant during this interim period. Her term is expected to last approximately three years. Črnko brings more than 20 years of leadership experience and over five years of experience in business consulting and managing complex projects. Due to her combination of rich leadership experience, knowledge of the public sector, experience working with the EBRD, and international work environment, the government considers her a candidate capable of successfully representing Slovenia’s interests. Her professional career began at the National Bank of Slovenia, after which she worked at ABanka Vipa, Ljubljanska Banka, and Nova Ljubljanska Banka. She served as a board member of HIT Nova Gorica, a consultant to the management board of KPMG Business Advisory, and a director of controlling and strategy at Telekom Slovenije. In the past two years, she was a member of the RTV Slovenia board, proposed by Natalija Gorščak, president of the RTV board, and confirmed by the RTV Council. According to data from the online platform Glassdoor, which anonymously collects salary information from certain companies, such a position can bring a gross annual income between €50,000 and €53,000. The EBRD is an international development bank that finances projects and investments primarily in Europe, Central Asia, and other regions. Its board of governors is divided into 23 constituencies; each represents one or more countries that have a common representative. Their work typically takes place at the bank’s headquarters in London, while the advisor functions as a liaison between the country they represent and the EBRD. Established in 1991, the EBRD was created to help countries in Central and Eastern Europe transition to a market economy after the end of the Cold War. They later expanded their activities to more than 30 countries. Črnko’s new role marks a shift from her previous responsibilities in the public sector to a position within an international financial institution. Her extensive background in both private and public sectors positions her as someone familiar with the complexities of economic policy and international cooperation. This move comes amid ongoing discussions about the role of national representatives in multilateral institutions and how they contribute to shaping regional development strategies. The vacancy in the RTV board during the transition period raises questions about the continuity of oversight in the state-owned media company. While the ministry of finance has indicated that the position will remain unoccupied until Črnko assumes her duties, there is no immediate indication of plans to appoint a temporary replacement. This could affect the governance structure of RTV during the interim period. Črnko’s career trajectory reflects a blend of domestic and international experience, which aligns with the EBRD’s mission to support economic transformation and development. Her prior roles in banking and advisory services suggest she is equipped to navigate the challenges of representing Slovenia’s interests in an international context. The EBRD’s constituency system allows for direct representation of member states through appointed advisors, ensuring that national perspectives are integrated into the bank’s decision-making processes. Črnko’s appointment underscores the importance of having individuals with diverse backgrounds in these roles, particularly as the EBRD continues to expand its influence across multiple regions.