Tihomir Civkaroski, general manager of Knauf Insulation - Nobody can take knowledge away from you

(Tihomir Civkaroski) He felt the cosmopolitan spirit of France and Italy while still a student. All the beauty of the Mediterranean life in Cyprus is etched deeply in his memory. He is a regular guest of European metropoles whose culture, kitchen and lifestyle he adores. Although he would not change all these unforgettable experiences for anything in the world, he always had a wish to continue his career in Serbia, and this wish came true.
In an interview with eKapija, Tihomir Civkaroski, the general manager of Knauf Insulation for the Balkans, Cyprus and Malta, speaks about his childhood in Vranje, student days in Paris and Tuscany, life in his hometown, Cyprus and Belgrade, family and leisure time.
A Paris student
In his hometown, Tihomir Civkaroski finished primary school and Bora Stankovic Grammar School. Our interlocutor wanted to study astrophysics or electrical engineering, so he enrolled in the Faculty of Electrical Engineering in Nis.
- However, IFAM (Institut Franco Americain de Management) opened a branch in Vranje that year, offering students to finish the first two years of studies in Serbia and the final year in Paris. That sounded very interesting to me, so I enrolled in that school as well and was not sure until September which faculty to attend.
The first man of Knauf Insulation then made a decision to become a freshman at the international university.
- I've never regretted that decision and I do not regret any decision in my life. Regardless of whether it was good or bad, I stand behind every choice I've made – says Civkaroski who finished the third year of studies in Paris, which was a great experience for him.
- At the time, all domestic faculties had a conventional approach, while studies in Paris involved a lot of practical work. Student days in the French capital were a completely new experience, and the knowledge acquired there I later shared with my colleagues in Serbia - Civkaroski points out.
After returning to his hometown, he began his career at the famous footwear factory Kostana, where he worked at the foreign trade department, that is, in the segment for the Italian market.
From Kostana to Tuscany
Shortly after a successful start at the factory in Vranje, Civkaroski gets a scholarship for Master's degree in international business at the European School of Economics in the Italian city of Lucca.
- I spent two years in Tuscany with students from all around the world - from South African Republic to Sweden and from America to Japan. Thanks to this cultural diversity, I learned a lot from my colleagues with whom I am still in touch – our interlocutor stresses.
Although he wanted to continue his career in Serbia, after taking Master's degree, Civkaroski gets an offer to work in Cyprus as the director of distribution company for world-renowned cosmetics brands such as Clarins, Shiseido, Gai Mattiolo, Sonia Rykiel...

- I worked there for three years and came back to Serbia in 2002 - says our interlocutor who assumed the position of director of the National Bank of Greece office in Vranje after returning to the country. He successfully managed this office until he took up the position of sales director at the building glue factory Henkel.
He moves to the Serbian capital in 2007, when he also takes first steps in the construction business. Civkaroski kept that position in Henkel for three years. (the rest of translation coming soon)
Irina Milosevic

Knauf Insulation d.o.o. Beograd

Tihomir Civkaroski

Tihomir Civkaroski biography

Paris

Kostana Vranje

Lucca

Henkel

National Bank of Greece

stone wool

Vunizol Surdulice

energy efficiency