Former PM Sunak takes up Oxford and Stanford roles

Rishi Sunak is set to return to his former universities as he takes up two new jobs in the UK and America.

The former prime minister announced he would be joining the University of Oxford's Blavatnik School of Government as a member of its World Leaders Circle.

He will also take up a visiting fellowship at the Hoover Institution, a think tank based at Stanford University in California.

Sunak, who studied philosophy, politics and economics at Oxford before earning a master of business administration degree at Stanford, said he was "delighted" to be joining the two institutions.

He said: "Both Blavatnik and Hoover do superb work on how we can rise to the economic and security challenges we face and seize the technological opportunities of our time.

"I was fortunate enough to study at both, they shaped my life and career, and I look forward to contributing to their world-leading research in the months and years ahead."

Sunak added that he had "huge affection" for both institutions.

It was at Stanford that the former Conservative party leader met his wife, Akshata Murty.

The announcement follows months of speculation that Sunak would move back to California - a topic which brought consistent barbs from Labour party politician's during last years general election campaign.

The positions are Sunak's first since returning to the backbenches last year, where he remains the MP for Richmond and Northallerton, in North Yorkshire.

He will remain an MP alongside his new university roles.

In accepting roles at major universities, he has followed two of his predecessors in Number 10.

Sir Tony Blair taught a course at Yale University shortly after leaving Downing Street, while Gordon Brown became a "distinguished leader in residence" at New York University.

Lord William Hague, chancellor of Oxford University and one of Mr Sunak's predecessors as Conservative leader, said the former prime minister's experience and "deep understanding of the challenges facing governments today" would be "a huge asset".

Lord Hague added: "Rishi's connection to Oxford University runs deep, and it's great to see him coming back to his alma mater to contribute in such a meaningful way."

Condoleezza Rice, the former US secretary of state and current director of the Hoover Institution, also welcomed his appointment, saying Mr Sunak's "extensive policy and global experience will enrich our fellowship and help to define important policies moving forward".

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