Rishi Sunak, who served as the United Kingdom’s Prime Minister from 2022 to 2024, has taken on senior advisory roles at Microsoft and Anthropic, two of the most influential players in global technology and artificial intelligence. The appointments, disclosed by the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (Acoba), have sparked debate over potential conflicts of interest and the revolving door between government and Big Tech.
Strategic Roles in Tech Giants
Sunak’s new positions are described as internally focused, part-time advisory roles, where he will provide high-level strategic perspectives on macroeconomic and geopolitical trends, particularly as they intersect with innovation, regulation, and digital transformation. He has explicitly stated that he will not advise on UK policy matters, nor engage in lobbying activities on behalf of either company.
At Anthropic, Sunak’s role is likened to operating as an internal think tank, contributing to long-term strategy as the company navigates the evolving landscape of AI safety and governance. Anthropic, backed by Amazon and Google, praised Sunak’s leadership in establishing the world’s first AI Safety Institute and convening the AI Safety Summit at Bletchley Park in 2023.
At Microsoft, Sunak’s appointment builds on a prior relationship. As Prime Minister, he helped broker a £2.5 billion investment by Microsoft into UK data centers and digital skills training. Microsoft is also a major UK government contractor, with a £1.4 billion annual memorandum of understanding for digital transformation and AI services.
Acoba’s Oversight and Conditions
Acoba approved the appointments but imposed strict conditions to mitigate risks. Sunak is barred from:
- Lobbying UK ministers or officials for two years from his last day in office
- Advising on UK government contracts or bids
- Using privileged information obtained during his time in government
The watchdog acknowledged that while the passage of time has somewhat reduced the sensitivity of the information Sunak holds, his recent tenure and deep engagement with tech policy still raise reasonable concerns about perceived influence. To address potential criticism, Sunak has pledged to donate all earnings from these roles to The Richmond Project, a charity he co-founded with his wife, Akshata Murty, focused on improving numeracy and social mobility in the UK.
Sunak’s move mirrors a growing trend of former political leaders transitioning into advisory roles within Silicon Valley. His former adviser, Liam Booth-Smith, is also on Anthropic’s payroll. Similarly, Nick Clegg, former Deputy Prime Minister, served as Meta’s President of Global Affairs until early 2025. In the U.S., tech firms like Meta and Microsoft have recruited former senior government officials, including Joel Kaplan and Lisa Monaco, to navigate complex regulatory environments.
