Rishi Sunak Joins Microsoft and Anthropic as Adviser, Donates Earnings to Charity

Rishi Sunak Takes on Advisory Roles at Microsoft and AI Startup Anthropic

Former British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has stepped into the tech world, joining Microsoft and AI startup Anthropic as a senior adviser. The move marks another chapter in Sunak’s post-political career after stepping down as leader of the UK’s Conservative Party following their general election defeat in July.

Sunak made the announcement on Thursday via LinkedIn, revealing that both roles are part-time and internally focused, and that he will donate all earnings from these positions to The Richmond Project, a charity he co-founded with his wife, Akshata Murty.

What Will Sunak Do at Microsoft and Anthropic?

Strategic Adviser, Not Lobbyist

Sunak’s roles at Microsoft and Anthropic will focus on global macroeconomic and geopolitical trends—not on UK policy. According to statements from both companies and approval from the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (ACOBA), the roles are strictly advisory and comply with all ethical guidelines for former ministers.

At Anthropic, the AI firm backed by Amazon and Google, Sunak will help shape strategy with a focus on global issues like AI governance, the global economy, and geopolitical developments. However, he is explicitly barred from discussing or influencing UK-specific matters or contacting UK officials on behalf of the company.

At Microsoft, Sunak will provide strategic insight on the global tech landscape and attend high-profile events such as the Microsoft Summit. As with Anthropic, he won’t be involved in UK policy and is restricted from lobbying the UK government for two years following his time in office.

Ethics and Transparency

These appointments were reviewed and cleared by ACOBA, the UK’s watchdog overseeing post-government employment for ministers and civil servants. ACOBA’s conditions are strict:

• No lobbying of the UK government for two years.
• No use of privileged information gained while in office.
• No involvement in UK-specific policy decisions or discussions.

Sunak appears to have taken steps to ensure full transparency, including publishing ACOBA’s approval letter and publicly announcing that all proceeds will go to charity.

Return to the Private Sector

This isn’t Sunak’s first move back into the private sector. In July, he also returned to Goldman Sachs—where he worked as an analyst in the early 2000s—in another part-time advisory role.

With these positions, Sunak is clearly leveraging his background in finance, technology, and international policy, while attempting to maintain ethical boundaries that separate his government experience from his new ventures.

What Is The Richmond Project?

All proceeds from Sunak’s new roles will go to The Richmond Project, a charitable initiative he and his wife started to support community development and opportunity in the Richmond constituency, the area he still represents as a Member of Parliament.

Though Sunak stepped down as Conservative leader, he remains an active MP, representing the North Yorkshire seat he's held since 2015.

From 10 Downing Street to Silicon Valley

Rishi Sunak’s transition into global tech leadership reflects a growing trend of former world leaders entering the private sector with a focus on technology, innovation, and AI. It also highlights how political experience is increasingly valuable in helping tech companies navigate complex global issues.

His move comes at a time when AI governance, data regulation, and international tech policy are becoming more central to global diplomacy and business strategy. Companies like Anthropic and Microsoft are investing heavily in ensuring they have informed, strategic voices guiding their work in these areas.

Sunak’s background—blending finance, government, and tech knowledge—makes him an attractive figure for companies looking to operate at the intersection of business and policy.

Final Thoughts

Rishi Sunak’s entry into advisory roles with Microsoft and Anthropic shows that his post-political career is firmly rooted in global tech and strategy. By pledging to donate his earnings and following strict ethical guidelines, he’s trying to strike a balance between influence and integrity.

Whether this will boost his long-term reputation—or draw criticism—remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: the former UK Prime Minister is not done making an impact.

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