Mr Matej Zakonjšek is an international professional with experience in corporate, non-profit, diplomacy and government sectors.
He studied Political Science at the University of Ljubljana, and obtained a Master's Degree from the School of Oriental and African Studies in London. He has also studied International Relations and European Affairs at the University of Bologna in Italy.
Mr Zakonjšek joined the Slovenian government as a diplomatic attaché responsible for Enlargement of the EU at the Permanent representation of Slovenia to the EU, where he later served as a deputy national delegate in the working group for Asia and Oceania.
He continued his work in diplomacy at the Embassy of Slovenia in London, UK where he was working in the Consular, Economic and Cultural departments. At the same time, he was acting as an assistant to the Permanent Representative of Slovenia to the International Maritime Organisation.
In February 2011 Mr Zakonjšek decided to continue his career in the private sector, as General Manager for the Indian multinational Company Cox and Kings GS. He was first based in London, UK and was responsible for European and CIS operations, and later Dubai, UAE where he was responsible for the Middle East and North African markets.
In 2014 Mr Zakonjšek worked as a campaign organiser for the new political party of Professor Miro Cerar, who won the 2014 parliamentary elections and formed new Slovenian government. Mr Zakonjšek was appointed Foreign trade and Cooperation advisor to the Prime Minister.
After the election of EU Commissioner Violeta Bulc, Mr Zakonjšek was invited to join her Cabinet, where he was, among the other areas, responsible for Communication. He was appointed Head of Cabinet as of 1st June 2015.