Rishi Sunak Joins Microsoft And AI Startup Anthropic As Senior Adviser, Donates Earnings To Charity

Rishi Sunak Takes on Advisory Roles at Microsoft and Anthropic

Former British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has joined Microsoft and artificial intelligence startup Anthropic as a senior adviser, expanding his post-political portfolio with two major roles in the tech world.

In a LinkedIn post, Sunak announced that all proceeds from his new positions will go to The Richmond Project, a charitable foundation he co-founded with his wife, Akshata Murty. The charity focuses on community development and youth initiatives.

Focus on Global Strategy, Not UK Policy

According to Anthropic, which is backed by Amazon and Google, Sunak’s role will be internally focused and part-time, providing guidance on strategy, macroeconomic, and geopolitical trends. The company clarified that the appointment complies fully with the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (ACOBA) regulations that govern post-ministerial employment.

Sunak will not engage in UK-specific policy or contact government officials on behalf of the AI firm. Similarly, at Microsoft, he will provide strategic insights on global economic and political trends and will speak at the company’s annual Microsoft Summit, according to an ACOBA letter posted online.

Bound by Strict Ethics Rules

Under ACOBA conditions, Sunak cannot lobby or use privileged government information for two years from his last day in ministerial office. Both roles are designed to ensure compliance with ethical standards for former ministers and to avoid any conflict of interest.

Expanding Post-Politics Career

The move follows Sunak’s return to Goldman Sachs in July in an advisory role revisiting the bank where he started his career in the early 2000s before moving into hedge funds and later politics.

While Microsoft declined to comment on the appointment, Sunak’s growing involvement in technology and finance underscores his long-standing interest in global innovation and economic policy.

By blending his political experience with advisory roles in leading global firms, Sunak appears to be carving a new niche-bridging governance, technology, and strategy while channeling the proceeds toward social impact through his charity.