In his first major appointment since stepping down as Conservative Party leader, former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is making a notable return to the private sector, this time, as Senior Adviser to Goldman Sachs. The move marks a full-circle moment for Sunak, who began his career at the prestigious Wall Street firm over two decades ago.
Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon confirmed the appointment on Tuesday, expressing enthusiasm about Sunak’s return: “I am excited to welcome Rishi back to Goldman Sachs in his new capacity… He will advise clients on geopolitical and economic issues, while also contributing to our culture of ongoing learning and development.”
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Sunak’s new role will see him working closely with the bank’s executives, drawing on his experience at the helm of British government during one of its most tumultuous economic periods. His insights are expected to benefit global clients navigating increasingly complex macroeconomic landscapes.
Though he has largely stayed out of the political spotlight since Labour’s landslide victory in July 2024, which ended 14 years of Conservative rule, Sunak remains MP for Richmond and Northallerton. Despite speculation about his exit from politics, he has stated that he intends to serve out the remainder of the current Parliament from the backbenches.
Earlier this year, Sunak quietly took on academic roles at Oxford University and Stanford University, continuing a pivot toward influence beyond politics. His return to Goldman Sachs is widely seen as a natural progression for the former finance executive, who worked there from 2001 to 2004, first as a summer intern while at Oxford and later as a junior analyst.
Following his stint at Goldman, Sunak held positions at The Children’s Investment Fund (TCI) and Theleme Partners, two high-profile hedge funds. He entered Parliament in 2015 and rose swiftly through the Conservative ranks, becoming Chancellor of the Exchequer in 2020 and later Prime Minister in 2022.
Sunak’s compensation from Goldman Sachs will not be pocketed personally, instead, it will be donated to The Richmond Project, a charity he co-founded with his wife Akshata Murty, aimed at improving numeracy skills in the UK.
The appointment did not come without scrutiny. The Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (ACOBA), which vets post-government jobs for former ministers, delayed approval until the first anniversary of Sunak’s resignation. In its public letter, ACOBA warned that the role could be perceived as offering unfair access or influence within the UK government.
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To mitigate potential conflicts of interest, Sunak has agreed to a number of restrictions. For one year, he will be barred from lobbying the government on behalf of Goldman, using his Whitehall contacts for influence, or advising on any contracts or bids involving the UK government. His role is to remain squarely focused on macroeconomic and geopolitical strategy—areas Acoba deemed non-conflicting with his time in Downing Street.
According to the Sunday Times Rich List, Sunak and Murty have a combined net worth of £640 million, largely tied to her stake in the Indian tech giant Infosys.
For Goldman Sachs, the appointment brings back a familiar face with global clout and deep policy knowledge. For Sunak, it’s a reentry into the financial world on his own terms—one shaped by lessons from both Wall Street and Westminster.
