Rishi Sunak, who served as the United Kingdom’s Prime Minister from 2022 to 2024, has recently taken on senior advisory roles with two prominent technology firms: Microsoft and Anthropic. These appointments mark a significant transition from his political career to the tech industry.
In his new capacity at Microsoft, Sunak is expected to provide high-level strategic insights on macroeconomic and geopolitical trends. His role is designed to be internally focused, steering clear of advising on UK-specific policy matters. Additionally, Sunak is slated to speak at Microsoft’s annual summit, contributing his perspectives on global economic developments.
At Anthropic, an artificial intelligence startup backed by tech giants Amazon and Google, Sunak’s advisory position will involve offering guidance on global strategy, macroeconomic issues, and geopolitical trends. Similar to his role at Microsoft, this position is internally oriented and does not encompass UK-specific policy advice. Notably, Sunak is prohibited from initiating contact with UK government officials on behalf of Anthropic, ensuring compliance with regulations governing post-ministerial employment.
These appointments have been reviewed and approved by the UK’s Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (ACOBA), which oversees the employment of former ministers and senior civil servants. ACOBA has stipulated that Sunak must not engage in lobbying activities or utilize privileged information obtained during his tenure in government for a period of two years following his departure from office.
Demonstrating a commitment to philanthropy, Sunak has announced that all earnings from these advisory roles will be donated to The Richmond Project, a charity he co-founded with his wife, Akshata Murty. The Richmond Project focuses on improving numeracy skills across the UK, aiming to enhance social mobility through education.
Sunak’s move into the tech sector is not entirely unexpected, given his longstanding interest in technology and its potential to drive societal change. During his tenure as Prime Minister, he prioritized tech regulation and investment, notably initiating a global AI safety summit in 2023. This summit led to significant investments in AI infrastructure and skills within the UK, including a £2.5 billion deal with Microsoft to develop new data centers and training programs.
In addition to his roles with Microsoft and Anthropic, Sunak has also taken on an advisory position with Goldman Sachs, where he previously worked as an analyst in the early 2000s. This role involves providing strategic insights to the investment bank’s global clients, leveraging his experience in both finance and government.
Sunak’s transition from politics to the tech industry reflects a broader trend of former government officials moving into advisory roles within major technology firms. This shift underscores the growing intersection between technology and public policy, as companies seek to navigate complex regulatory environments and geopolitical landscapes.
In his announcement, Sunak expressed enthusiasm for his new roles, stating, I have long believed that technology will transform our world and play a key part in determining our future. We stand on the edge of a technological revolution whose impacts will be as profound as those of the industrial revolution: and felt more quickly.
As Sunak embarks on this new chapter, his unique blend of experience in finance, government, and now technology positions him to offer valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities facing the tech industry in a rapidly evolving global landscape.
