Michelle Donelan cleared for paid AI role as ex-DSIT officials join industry

Michelle Donelan cleared to take paid role at AI firm

3 October 2025 - Former science and technology secretary Michelle Donelan has been cleared by the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (Acoba) to become an adviser to Makers, an AI and technology upskilling company with government contracts, including with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).

Acoba noted Makers' pre-existing relationship with government but said the appointment does not raise propriety concerns under the business appointment rules. Donelan has also been cleared to join another AI company, Elastik.

What Acoba approved and why

Makers holds a contract with DSIT to provide software developer and engineer apprenticeship programmes. These sit under the Government Digital Service (GDS). Acoba highlighted that when Donelan was secretary of state, GDS was not part of DSIT, so she would not have been involved in awarding these contracts.

While Donelan was exposed to information that could benefit an AI firm, DSIT advised that she did not have access to material that would give Makers an unfair advantage. Acoba said her role at Makers will be separated from government-facing work and she will have no contact with government.

Conditions attached

Acoba's approval is subject to standard conditions. These include not drawing on privileged information obtained in office and not lobbying government on behalf of Makers.

The committee also addressed the risk that Donelan could be seen to offer unfair access via her contacts and influence. Segregation from government-related activities is intended to mitigate that risk.

Why this matters for government teams

Movement between DSIT and AI firms is increasing. For departments and agencies, this raises practical questions about conflicts, perceived influence, and supplier access.

Clear, documented boundaries are essential when former ministers and senior officials enter supplier ecosystems, especially in areas like AI skills, advisory, and infrastructure.

Practical steps for departments and ALBs

• Request written confirmation from suppliers about roles, responsibilities, and any firewalls for ex-ministers or ex-officials engaged by the supplier.
• Reconfirm non-contact, non-lobbying, and no-privileged-information conditions in contracts and supplier codes of conduct.
• Record all meetings and communications where an ex-minister's employer is involved; ensure a clear audit trail.
• Route any engagement through standard procurement and commercial channels; avoid informal access.
• Brief relevant teams on the Business Appointment Rules to keep controls consistent across projects.

Other AI-related departures

Several figures connected to DSIT have moved into AI roles. Jonathan Berry, former minister for AI under the previous government and now the shadow minister for AI, has taken a paid commission from Conquer Technology and is a non-executive director at Lumi Network.

Imran Faisal Shafi, DSIT's former director for AI opportunities and AI policy, left in June to become chief strategy officer of NScale, which is building large AI data centres in the UK. Daisy McGregor, former deputy director for AI international policy, left in February to join Anthropic.

What to watch next

Expect continued scrutiny of post-government roles in AI, especially where suppliers provide training, advisory, or infrastructure linked to government programmes. Departments should keep their internal registers, conflict checks, and supplier onboarding controls current and visible.

Donelan was approached for comment.

Related resource

If your team is planning AI upskilling, you can review role-based options here: AI courses by job.