A key adviser to Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves has held 16 undisclosed meetings with prominent US tech leaders, according to the Guardian.
Varun Chandra, a business aide in No 10, talked about regulatory changes, artificial intelligence, and Donald Trump’s upcoming administration during private sessions from October 2024 to October 2025. In one discussion, he even offered to connect a top executive directly with the prime minister.
Chandra interacted with six major tech firms – Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Oracle, Apple, and Meta – as the government crafted policies aimed at attracting investments from Silicon Valley. This included substantial energy subsidies and fast-tracked planning approvals for data centers in areas identified as AI growth zones by officials.
Though not widely known outside of Westminster circles, Chandra previously led a corporate intelligence company founded by former British spies before joining the government. He plays a vital role in Downing Street and is an advocate for the government’s economic growth initiatives.
Chandra’s position as chief business adviser to the prime minister was broadened this year to also serve as a trade envoy for the US. In this capacity, he provides guidance on trade negotiations related to AI investments.
Chandra (left) at a business roundtable in 10 Downing Street in November 2024. Photograph: Frank Augstein/AFP/Getty Images
Unlike senior civil servants or ministers, political advisers aren’t required to disclose their interactions with private companies and lobbyists; however, civil servants do keep records of such meetings. It took a year to confirm details of Chandra’s engagements under freedom of information rules.
The meeting logs obtained by the Guardian give insight into the activities of a powerful political figure who connects business leaders with both the prime minister and chancellor. These findings raise concerns about what one democracy advocate called “lobbying behind closed doors.”
A spokesperson from Downing Street stated that Chandra had played a role in securing a UK-US trade deal along with “record” foreign investment from American businesses. The spokesperson noted: “Engaging with businesses is an essential part of what is expected from the prime minister’s business adviser.”
On that same day when he met Apple executives Chancellor Rachel Reeves instructed regulatory bodies to lessen anti-growth regulations following recommendations reportedly linked to Chandra’s influence. This overhaul resulted in Marcus Bokkerink being removed as chair of Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), who had planned actions against tech monopolies.
Afterward Reeves remarked that she had received favorable feedback since her decision regarding Bokkerink saying: “Previously businesses-all especially those within tech-had been raising concerns about CMA issues. That has shifted significantly.” Trump’s presidency was brought up during two conversations involving Microsoft vice-chair Brad Smith where they discussed Trump’s objectives at an exclusive gathering of political figures and entrepreneurs at Davos early last year before continuing their dialogue around Trump’s historic second state visit plans.
Rose Zussman-a senior advocacy manager at Transparency International-asserted that these meetings should be viewed through lobbying lenses emphasizing serious accountability questions stating: “Lobbying behind closed doors enables outside interests to influence our politics without public scrutiny.”A rising star i n g overnment
Chand r ais among Labour ’ s best-connected advisers when it comes t o busi ness having contacts th at few can match. His previous firm Hakluyt doesn’t publish its client list but claims it advises some o f th e largest corporations globally. He left this London-based company-which has been humorously labeled as a retirement home for ex-spies-to join t he government two years ago , yet still holds over 300 ,000 shares there according t o accounts filed w ith Companies House back i n April.
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‘Removing barriers for businesses’
After Labour won the election in 2024, Starmer appointed Chandra who met with several high-ranking executives including Siobhan Wilson from Oracle-founded by Trump ally Larry Ellison-and David Zapolsky from Amazon. Redacted notes indicate that Chandra agreed to assist Wilson in meeting Starmer and laid groundwork for Starmer’s potential encounter with Andy Jassy of Amazon-who took over from Jeff Bezos in 2021. Labour’s focus on AI-driven growth came up often. Executives from Meta, Microsoft and Oracle discussed AI topics like data centers and growth zones during their talks with Chandra. The government believes commitments made by US tech companies promising £150bn will greatly enhance the UK economy. However, last month The Guardian reported that many deals appeared to be “phantom investments,” presenting existing data centers as new developments while plans for a supercomputer site remained unfulfilled. Open AI recently paused its multibillion-pound project for a datacenter in North Tyneside due to energy costs and regulations. Regulatory reform was mentioned during at least four meetings. Meta’s vice-president Joel Kaplan-a former Republican official who succeeded Nick Clegg-shared insights on the “UK regulatory landscape” during discussions with Chandra. Joel Kaplan (right) with the Meta chief executive, Mark Zuckerberg. Photograph: Samuel Corum/Getty Images At early 2025 discussions about removing obstacles for businesses involved three Apple executives including Matt Browne who manages governmental relations across Europe.On that same day when he met Apple executives Chancellor Rachel Reeves instructed regulatory bodies to lessen anti-growth regulations following recommendations reportedly linked to Chandra’s influence. This overhaul resulted in Marcus Bokkerink being removed as chair of Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), who had planned actions against tech monopolies.
Afterward Reeves remarked that she had received favorable feedback since her decision regarding Bokkerink saying: “Previously businesses-all especially those within tech-had been raising concerns about CMA issues. That has shifted significantly.” Trump’s presidency was brought up during two conversations involving Microsoft vice-chair Brad Smith where they discussed Trump’s objectives at an exclusive gathering of political figures and entrepreneurs at Davos early last year before continuing their dialogue around Trump’s historic second state visit plans.
Rose Zussman-a senior advocacy manager at Transparency International-asserted that these meetings should be viewed through lobbying lenses emphasizing serious accountability questions stating: “Lobbying behind closed doors enables outside interests to influence our politics without public scrutiny.”
