Former UK Prime Minister Sunak Takes Advisory Positions at Microsoft and Anthropic

Former British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has taken on part-time roles as a senior advisor at both Microsoft and the artificial intelligence (AI) startup Anthropic, according to official documents published on October 9, 2025[1]. Sunak, who served as UK prime minister from October 2022 to July 2024, will provide high-level strategic perspectives to both companies, focusing on macroeconomic and geopolitical trends and their impact on technology, innovation, and regulation[1][2].

Advisory Roles and Responsibilities

At Microsoft, Sunak will advise the company’s leadership on macroeconomic and geopolitical developments, as well as their interaction with digital transformation and innovation[2]. He will also deliver speeches at various events on behalf of the tech giant[2].

Similarly, at Anthropic, Sunak will work with senior leadership to offer strategic insights on similar global trends, helping to shape the company’s direction in the fast-evolving AI sector[1].

Ethical Considerations and Charity Commitment

Due to his recent role leading the UK government, Sunak is subject to strict conditions to avoid conflicts of interest. The UK Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (ACOBA) has explicitly barred him from lobbying the UK government on behalf of either company or advising on government contracts until at least the second half of 2026[1][2]. Sunak has also pledged that he will not personally benefit financially from these roles; instead, his entire salary will be donated to The Richmond Project, a charity he co-founded with his wife to improve numeracy skills among children and adults[1][2].

Background and Career Path

Sunak, born in 1980, became the UK’s first British Asian and Hindu prime minister and was the youngest person to hold the office in over two centuries[2]. Before entering politics, he had a career in finance, including stints at Goldman Sachs and hedge funds. After stepping down as prime minister following the Conservative Party’s defeat in the 2024 general election, he briefly returned to Goldman Sachs as a senior advisor before accepting these new roles in the tech sector[1][2].

Broader Context

Sunak’s move into the tech industry reflects a growing trend of former political leaders leveraging their experience in global strategy and policy to advise major technology firms. His appointments come as both Microsoft and Anthropic seek to navigate complex regulatory landscapes and geopolitical challenges in the AI and digital sectors.

Sunak remains an elected Member of Parliament and has indicated that he will continue to be active in British public life while fulfilling his new advisory responsibilities[3].