Saturday, March 29, 2025
Former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has joined Goldman Sachs as a senior advisor, marking his return to the financial sector following his resignation as Prime Minister in July 2024. The global investment banking firm confirmed that Sunak will work part-time, offering clients strategic advice on global economic and geopolitical issues.
Sunak, who continues to serve as the Conservative MP for Richmond and Northallerton, previously worked as an analyst at Goldman Sachs in the early 2000s before moving into politics.
Goldman Sachs Chairman and CEO David Solomon expressed enthusiasm about Sunak’s appointment, stating the firm is “excited to welcome Rishi back.” He added that beyond advising clients, Sunak will also engage with teams across the firm globally, contributing to its learning and development culture.
Sunak will donate his earnings from Goldman Sachs to the Richmond Project, a charity he co-founded earlier this year with his wife Akshata Murty. The foundation focuses on improving math education across the UK.
The Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (ACOBA), which vets roles taken by former ministers, highlighted potential risks with the new role, especially the possibility of unfair access to insider knowledge gained during his tenure as PM.
As a result, Sunak will be barred from advising any sovereign wealth funds, foreign governments, or clients he directly dealt with during his premiership. Additionally, he cannot lobby the UK government on Goldman Sachs’ behalf.
ACOBA also noted Sunak’s 14 years of experience in financial services prior to entering politics, including his earlier tenure at Goldman Sachs and co-founding an international investment firm.
After becoming an MP in 2015, Sunak rose to national prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic as Chancellor under Prime Minister Boris Johnson, where he introduced popular schemes like the furlough program. His resignation in July 2022 played a pivotal role in Johnson’s downfall.
Sunak succeeded Liz Truss as Prime Minister in October 2022, but resigned in July 2024 after leading the Conservatives to a historic electoral defeat.
Since leaving office, Sunak has taken on several non-paid academic roles. In January 2025, he joined both Oxford University’s Blavatnik School of Government and the Hoover Institution at Stanford University as a fellow. However, he has earned over £500,000 for delivering three paid speeches since April 2025.
Like many former world leaders, Sunak is now part of the lucrative global speaking circuit, often appearing at corporate dinners and high-profile conferences.
