iWorld
Meta appoints Rafael Frankel as head of Apac public policy operations
Frankel replaces Simon Milner after 14 years at Meta
SINGAPORE: Meta has appointed Rafael Frankel as head of its Asia-Pacific public policy operations, elevating a long-serving executive amid mounting regulatory and political scrutiny across the region.
Frankel, previously director of public policy for Southeast Asia, confirmed the move in a LinkedIn post, describing the role as both a challenge and an opportunity as technological, social and political shifts gather pace across Apac and beyond.
He succeeds Simon Milner, who led Meta’s Apac policy function for eight years and spent 14 years in total at the company. Paying tribute to his predecessor, Frankel described Milner as a mentor whose leadership combined empathy and foresight, shaping the team’s regional engagement.
The appointment places a seasoned insider at the helm. Frankel brings 25 years of experience across Asia-Pacific and the Middle East, including earlier stints as a foreign correspondent and consultant in Bangkok, Jerusalem and Washington. He also serves on the board of the US-Asean Business Council, underscoring his policy and trade credentials.
His elevation comes as global technology platforms face tighter regulation, sharper geopolitical fault lines and intensifying debate over artificial intelligence. In his statement, Frankel signalled alignment with Meta’s broader ambitions, including its push towards advanced AI systems, while emphasising collaboration with governments and businesses across the region.
