Former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has been appointed as a senior adviser to Goldman Sachs, marking a return to the investment banking giant where he began his professional career. In a statement on Tuesday, Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon said Sunak will advise clients worldwide on a range of issues, “sharing his unique perspectives and insights on the macroeconomic and geopolitical landscape”.
The appointment adds a seasoned policymaker to the firm’s roster at a time when banks are navigating increased geopolitical and regulatory volatility.
Sunak’s previous stint with Goldman Sachs
Sunak first joined Goldman Sachs as a summer intern in 2000 and later worked as an analyst between 2001 and 2004. His return follows a well-worn path of former government officials transitioning into the financial sector. Past UK Chancellors George Osborne and Sajid Javid also took up senior roles in finance after leaving office.
Sunak served as UK Prime Minister from October 2022 until July 2024, and previously as Chancellor of the Exchequer from February 2020. He stepped down last year following a decisive electoral defeat to Keir Starmer’s Labour Party. He currently serves as the MP for Richmond and Northallerton.
Before becoming prime minister, Rishi Sunak served as Chancellor of the Exchequer from February 2020 to July 2022. Prior to that, he held roles as Chief Secretary to the Treasury and as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. His political career began in 2015 when he was elected as a Member of Parliament.