Konrad Shek has never followed a conventional path into public affairs. A self-described “techie at heart,” his early years in the IT industry continue to shape how he sees the world: as an interconnected system where data, technology and human behaviour constantly influence one another.

That instinct, to look beneath the surface and understand how things truly work, has defined a career built on navigating complexity across diplomacy, international business, and today, advertising regulation. Shek’s entry into public affairs was, by his own admission, “a slightly unusual one.” He began in IT before moving into the UK’s Foreign Office to pursue international relations.

“This was instrumental in teaching me how to navigate complex stakeholder landscapes and a true understanding of how policy is actually made,” he explains.

A move to Jardine Matheson followed, which he describes as “a defining period” where he “learned how to think about public affairs in a way that delivers good outcomes for the business.”

Since joining the Advertising Association, Shek has found the ideal platform to bring these experiences together. Now Public Policy & Regulation Director, he works at the centre of efforts to shape the policy environment for the UK advertising industry.

“Since joining the trade body, the Advertising Association, I’ve been able to draw on my diverse experience to bring value …