Number 10 keeps Varun Chandra in business adviser role under Burnham

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Burnham keeps Chandra adviser

Highlights

Varun Chandra will remain as business adviser when Burnham takes over Number 10, signaling stability amid the government transition.
Chandra, known for securing a U.S.-UK trade deal and international networks, is viewed by business leaders as a confidence boost during the power handover.
Ricardo Bowman's departure from the business, investment and trade unit heightens the significance of continuity through Chandra's ongoing role in Downing Street.

Continuity plan for business relations

As reported by Financial Times, Chandra has agreed with the Burnham team to remain in his post when Burnham takes over Number 10, with Downing Street insiders and Burnham allies confirming that he has been asked to stay on.

People briefed on the discussions say Chandra wants to provide continuity, while one Downing Street official says continuity is really important. His staying in place is viewed by some business figures as a stabilising signal at a time of political transition.

Chandra, a former managing partner of London-based advisory firm Hakluyt, has been seen as a key figure in high-level commercial diplomacy. He was instrumental in securing a U.S.-UK trade deal and has strong connections in the Gulf and India.

People briefed on the decision say Chandra has been approached multiple times about returning to the private sector, but there is no agreed timeframe for how long he will remain in Downing Street. He was also interviewed last year for the role of UK ambassador to Washington, though the post ultimately went to Sir Christian Turner.

Business and policy implications

Burnham’s decision means he is retaining two important Starmer-era advisers, with Jonathan Powell also staying on as national security adviser. One former senior Number 10 official says Chandra is regarded as one of the more effective elements of the Starmer government.

Some business leaders broadly welcome the decision, seeing it as a boost to confidence during the handover of power. Others note that Chandra’s work has focused heavily on trade deals and international relationships, with one public affairs adviser saying he is capable and well networked but appears especially oriented toward the U.S.

The changeover comes as Ricardo Bowman, the civil servant leading the business, investment and trade unit at Number 10, says separately this week that he is leaving for the private sector. That departure adds to the importance of continuity in the government’s engagement with companies and investors.

Our earlier article covered Canada’s upcoming Ottawa talks with Mexico’s foreign secretary Roberto Velasco Álvarez, aimed at advancing priorities under the Canada–Mexico Action Plan. It highlighted the focus on trade and investment, alongside security and broader foreign policy coordination, following a major Mexican trade mission to Canada involving more than 240 companies.

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