Goldman Sachs has hired former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak as a senior adviser, marking a significant return to the global investment banking giant where his finance career began over two decades ago.
The move comes as financial institutions increasingly value geopolitical expertise to navigate global market volatility and regulatory shifts.
Sunak, who briefly served as prime minister from October 2022 to July 2024, and earlier as Chancellor of the Exchequer between February 2020 and July 2022, will now advise Goldman Sachs’ global client base.
According to CEO David Solomon, Sunak will provide insights on “the macroeconomic and geopolitical landscape,” leveraging his unique background in economic policy and international affairs.
This marks a full-circle moment for Sunak, who interned at Goldman Sachs in investment banking in 2000 and worked as an analyst from 2001 to 2004.
His deep policy experience and network make him a strategic asset at a time when financial institutions face heightened global uncertainty.
The appointment also aligns with a broader Wall Street trend of tapping former political leaders for strategic advisory roles.
Notably, Sunak follows in the footsteps of ex-Chancellors George Osborne and Sajid Javid, who joined BlackRock and Centricus, respectively, after their political careers.
As global banks navigate geopolitical fragmentation, interest rate volatility, and evolving regulatory environments, former policymakers like Sunak are seen as key to managing risk and guiding investor strategy.
His experience at the helm of the UK government during crises such as COVID-19 and Brexit adds further credibility to his new role.
Though he remains MP for Richmond and Northallerton, Sunak’s transition into finance signals a shift in focus to international advisory and investment strategy.
