Britain’s ex-PM Sunak to take up roles at Microsoft, Anthropic
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
Mr Rishi Sunak will be a part-time senior adviser at Microsoft, and at Anthropic.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Follow topic:
LONDON - Former British prime minister Rishi Sunak will take up senior advisory roles at US companies Microsoft and Anthropic – an artificial intelligence start-up – according to a UK government document published on Oct 9.
Mr Sunak will be a part-time senior adviser at Microsoft, which will involve “providing high-level strategic perspectives on macro-economic and geopolitical trends”, according to a UK public body which advises former senior officials on business appointments.
In a report published on Oct 9, the body advised Mr Sunak, who is still an elected parliamentarian, not to lobby the government on Microsoft’s behalf.
Mr Sunak told the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (Acoba) that he would not “personally financially benefit” from the role, with his salary being donated to his charity, The Richmond Project, which aims to boost number skills in children and adults.
Another Acoba report from September shows that Mr Sunak also took up a paid appointment with Anthropic as a part-time senior adviser.
According to the report, Mr Sunak told the body he would work with Anthropic’s senior leadership to similarly provide “high level strategic perspectives on macro-economic and geopolitical trends”.
“We’re pleased to welcome Rishi Sunak,” Anthropic said in a statement to AFP.
“His experience will provide valuable strategic perspective as we work to ensure AI benefits humanity,” the company added.
“All Parliamentary rules regarding conflicts of interest will be followed.”
The appointments follow reports that Mr Sunak, who was prime minister between October 2022 and July 2024, was eyeing a Silicon Valley job after losing in 2024’s general election
After he took office, Mr Sunak faced criticism from political opponents over his vast family wealth and past career in investment firms, with some arguing that he was out of touch with the general population during a rampant cost-of-living crisis.
The former Conservative Party leader worked at investment bank Goldman Sachs – to which he returned as a senior adviser in July 2025 – followed by two hedge funds before entering politics.
Former British deputy prime minister Nick Clegg took a similar step in 2018 when he became president of Meta’s global affairs. AFP
