The former UK Prime Minister’s move to Silicon Valley tech firms highlights growing scrutiny over politics-tech crossover
Sunak’s Shift from Politics to Big Tech
Former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has taken up senior advisory roles at Microsoft and Anthropic, deepening the trend of ex-political leaders entering the tech world.
- Sunak, who served as PM from 2022 to 2024, will offer high-level insights on economic and geopolitical trends.
- He will donate his salary from both roles to The Richmond Project, a charity he launched with his wife.
Despite his assurances to steer clear of UK policy matters, the appointments have raised ethical and political concerns.
Concerns from Government Watchdogs
The Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (Acoba) expressed unease over the move, citing risks of:
- Privileged government knowledge giving Microsoft an unfair advantage, especially in light of its existing UK government contracts.
- Perceptions of undue influence, particularly given current global debates on AI regulation.
Acoba’s warnings point to the delicate balance between public service and private sector influence—especially in a rapidly evolving and highly regulated sector like artificial intelligence.
A Familiar Relationship with Microsoft
Sunak has past ties with Microsoft. In 2023, as Prime Minister, he brokered a £2.5 billion investment deal with the company involving UK data centers and tech training initiatives.
This history has intensified scrutiny, with critics questioning whether his advisory position reflects a conflict of interest or merely a continuation of his pro-tech agenda.
Anthropic Adds to the Picture
Alongside Microsoft, Sunak is also advising Anthropic, an AI safety and research company seen as a major competitor to OpenAI.
- His former senior political aide, Liam Booth-Smith, is also employed by Anthropic.
- This dual connection has fueled speculation that Anthropic is actively building political capital in the UK as part of a broader AI policy positioning strategy.
Silicon Valley’s Talent Pipeline from Government
Sunak’s appointments are part of a broader pattern where former political leaders transition into roles at major tech firms.
- Nick Clegg, former UK Deputy PM, served as Meta’s president of global affairs until 2025.
- In the U.S., Joel Kaplan, a former Bush aide, now leads global policy at Meta.
- Lisa Monaco, formerly Joe Biden’s Deputy Attorney General, currently heads global affairs at Microsoft.
This “revolving door” between government and tech has become a defining feature of modern lobbying and tech diplomacy—raising questions about regulatory capture, ethical boundaries, and public trust.
Sunak’s Position: Advice, Not Advocacy
In response to Acoba’s concerns, Sunak emphasized:
- He will not engage in lobbying.
- He will avoid offering guidance on UK-specific regulation.
- His focus will remain on strategic, global insights rather than detailed policy advice.
While these commitments may ease regulatory tension, the optics of influence—especially in the AI race—remain under close watch.
