**Former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak joins Microsoft and AI firm Anthropic, but a strict watchdog has told him what he absolutely *must not* do.** **London, UK, October 10, 2025** — Just over a year after leaving 10 Downing Street, former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has landed high-profile advisory roles with two of the world's most influential tech companies: Microsoft and the artificial intelligence startup, Anthropic. The move, announced this week, sees Sunak stepping into the rapidly evolving world of AI and global technology, but not without a clear set of handcuffs from the UK's Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (Acoba), the body overseeing post-government employment. He's been explicitly told he cannot lobby his former government or use privileged information for these new employers. ^[1][2][3][4]Sunak, who remains the Member of Parliament for Richmond and Northallerton, will serve as a part-time senior adviser for both tech giants. He'll be offering his "high-level strategic perspectives on macroeconomic and geopolitical trends and how they intersect with technology and society." I^[1][5]n a notable gesture, all earnings from these new positions will be donated to The Richmond Project, a charity he co-founded with his wife, Akshata Murty, focused on improving numeracy skills across the UK. ^[6][7][5][8]### The Full Story The appointments became public on Thursday, October 9, 2025, when Acoba published letters detailing the conditions placed on Sunak's new ventures. A^[2]coba is the independent body that scrutinizes new jobs taken by former ministers and senior civil servants to prevent any appearance of impropriety or unfair advantage. ^[1][6]Sunak's tenure as Prime Minister, from October 2022 to July 2024, saw him championing the UK as a leader in AI safety and regulation. H^[2][3][4]e famously convened the world's first AI Safety Summit at Bletchley Park in November 2023 and subsequently established the AI Safety Institute. D^[1][2][3]uring his time in office, he held direct meetings with Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and other company representatives. T^[1][2][9]his background makes his move into AI advisory roles a natural, albeit closely watched, progression. For Microsoft, a company with a market value of $3.9 trillion, Sunak will lend his strategic insights, even slated to speak at their annual summit. H^[2][7]is advisory role with Anthropic, an AI firm aiming to compete with major players like OpenAI and Google, has been described as "akin to operating as an internal think tank," providing counsel on global strategic matters rather than UK policy. ^[4][8]However, Acoba didn't greenlight these roles without significant stipulations. To ensure fairness and transparency, Sunak is prohibited from: * Lobbying the UK government or any associated public bodies on behalf of Microsoft or Anthropic for a period of two years from when he left ministerial office in July 2024. This restriction means he cannot engage in such activities until July 2026. *^{[1][3][4][5][10]} Drawing upon any privileged information he gained during his time as Prime Minister. *^[1][3] Getting involved in any UK regulatory matters that specifically relate to Microsoft or Anthropic. *^[3] Advising either company on bids for UK government contracts. *^[4] Initiating contact with UK government officials on behalf of Anthropic. ^[6][7][8]Acoba acknowledged that while the value of any sensitive information Sunak might possess diminishes over time, especially in a fast-moving sector like AI, his past proximity to UK policy and knowledge of privileged information still posed a risk of offering "unfair access and influence." ^[1][4]This isn't Sunak's first post-premiership role. Since stepping down, he has also returned to Goldman Sachs International as a senior adviser, a firm where he previously worked in the early 2000s. A^{[2][7][4][11][10]}dditionally, he has engaged in lucrative speaking engagements for US investment firms like Bain Capital and Makena Capital, reportedly earning over £150,000 per speech. In^[2][12]terestingly, his former senior political adviser, Liam Booth-Smith, also took a role with Anthropic in June. #^[2][9]## What This Means These new advisory roles place Rishi Sunak at the heart of the global technology and AI conversation, leveraging his experience as a former world leader. For Microsoft and Anthropic, his insights into macroeconomic and geopolitical trends could be invaluable as they navigate complex global markets and regulatory landscapes. T^[1][6][7]he strict conditions imposed by Acoba highlight the ongoing scrutiny faced by former government officials transitioning into the private sector. It's a balancing act: allowing individuals to use their expertise while preventing potential conflicts of interest or the perception of undue influence. For the public, these rules aim to ensure that former public servants don't immediately "cash in" on their government connections. **Key Points:** * Rishi Sunak has taken on part-time senior advisory roles at Microsoft and AI firm Anthropic. * ^[1][6][2] He will advise on global macroeconomic and geopolitical trends, not UK policy. * ^[6][7][5][8] All earnings from these roles will go to The Richmond Project, a numeracy charity he co-founded. * ^[6][7][5][8] Acoba has imposed a two-year ban, until July 2026, on lobbying the UK government or using privileged information. * ^{[1][3][4][5][10]} This follows his previous appointment as a senior adviser to Goldman Sachs International in July 2025. #^{[2][7][11][10]}## The Bigger Picture Sunak's move is part of a growing trend where major tech and AI companies recruit former high-ranking government officials. These firms are increasingly looking to build a "political bench" – a roster of individuals who understand how regulations are crafted and enforced, helping them navigate complex policy environments. Form^[9]er Liberal Democrat Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, who became President of Global Affairs for Meta (Facebook and Instagram's parent company), is another prominent example. The^[2] timing of these appointments also comes amidst broader economic discussions. The Bank of England has recently cautioned that valuations for AI-driven companies appear "stretched," drawing parallels to the dot-com bubble. This^[9] adds another layer of scrutiny to the political ties of Big Tech and the potential market risks involved. The very watchdog that approved Sunak's roles, Acoba, has itself faced criticism for being "toothless" and was reportedly abolished by Prime Minister Keir Starmer in July, with its functions being split between other bodies. This^[12] suggests a growing desire for more robust oversight in the "revolving door" between government and the private sector. ### What Happens Next? Rishi Sunak will continue his work as an MP while taking on these new part-time advisory responsibilities. His focus will be on providing strategic insights to Microsoft and Anthropic, particularly on global trends and the intersection of technology with society. The ^[1][6][7]public and political observers will be watching closely to ensure full adherence to Acoba's strict conditions, especially the two-year lobbying ban, which remains in effect until July 2026. The^{[1][3][4][5][10]}se appointments underscore the increasing influence of technology in global affairs and the demand for experienced leaders who can bridge the gap between policy and innovation. Sunak's journey from Chancellor to Prime Minister, and now to a key adviser in the tech world, reflects a dynamic career deeply intertwined with both national governance and the future of technology.