Rishi Sunak Joins Microsoft and Anthropic as Senior Adviser

Former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has taken on new advisory roles with Microsoft and AI startup Anthropic, deepening his involvement in the global technology and artificial intelligence sectors. Sunak, who stepped down as Conservative Party leader following the general election defeat in July, continues to serve as a Member of Parliament while expanding his influence in the private sector.

In a LinkedIn post, Sunak announced that all proceeds from these advisory positions will be donated to The Richmond Project, a charity he co-founded with his wife, Akshata Murty. The organization focuses on community development and educational initiatives.

Both Microsoft and Anthropic confirmed that Sunak’s part-time roles adhere to the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (ACOBA) regulations, which govern post-ministerial employment. According to ACOBA’s interim chair Isabel Doverty, Sunak’s work at both companies will focus on macroeconomic and geopolitical strategy, rather than UK-specific policies. He remains prohibited from contacting UK government officials on behalf of either firm and cannot lobby for them for two years after leaving office.

At Anthropic, backed by Amazon and Google, Sunak will contribute insights on global strategy and technological trends shaping AI governance. Similarly, his advisory role at Microsoft will include participating in major events such as the Microsoft Summit, offering perspectives on the intersection of technology, economics, and global policy.

This latest move follows Sunak’s return to Goldman Sachs in July, where he also serves in an advisory capacity. Before entering politics, Sunak began his career at the investment bank in the early 2000s, later moving into hedge funds before rising to become UK Chancellor and eventually Prime Minister.

With these new roles, Sunak continues to position himself as a global thought leader in technology, innovation, and AI governance.