One is the fitness-loving former oil magnate who kept his lucrative private sector job upon being parachuted into the upper echelons of government.
The other is the City boss-turned-mandarin who joined Greensill Capital while still on the civil service payroll - and stood to make millions in shares.
Sir John Manzoni and Bill Crothers were today the latest ex-officials facing awkward questions after being dragged into the lobbying row echoing through Westminster.
Both earned big bucks in the private sector, then entered the heart of government in a Whitehall drive to recruit fresh talent, before switching back to the corporate life.