In a landmark moment for British governance, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has appointed Dame Antonia Romeo as the new Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Civil Service – making her the first woman to hold the prestigious role in its more than 110-year history.
The announcement comes just days after the departure of her predecessor, Sir Chris Wormald, who stepped down amid criticism over his leadership and perceived ineffectiveness in No 10.
Starmer hailed Romeo as an “outstanding public servant” with a 25-year record of delivery. “Since becoming prime minister, I’ve been impressed by her professionalism and determination to get things done,” he said. He added that she would support the government’s focus on easing the cost of living, strengthening public services, and driving national renewal through reform, efficiency, and innovation.
Romeo, who until recently served as Permanent Secretary at the Home Office, the longest-serving perm sec in government, responded with enthusiasm: “It is a huge privilege to be asked to serve as cabinet secretary and head of the Civil Service. The Civil Service is a great and remarkable institution, which I love. We should be known for delivery, efficiency and innovation, working to implement the government’s agenda and meet the challenges the country faces.”
Who is Antonia Romeo?
Born Antonia Rice-Evans on 20 October 1974 in London, Romeo was educated at Westminster School before earning a BA (later MA) in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) from Brasenose College, Oxford. She also holds an MSc in Economics from the London School of Economics and an Advanced Management Programme diploma from Columbia Business School.
Her career began outside the civil service: after graduating, she spent three years at strategic consultancy firm Oliver Wyman. She joined the public sector in 2000 as a professional economist in the Lord Chancellor’s Department (later the Department for Constitutional Affairs), quickly rising through the ranks as a high-flyer.
Romeo has held senior roles across multiple departments, including Director General of Criminal Justice at the Ministry of Justice, Director General of Economic and Domestic Affairs in the Cabinet Office during the 2015 election period, and a high-profile stint as Consul General in New York (2016–2017), where she promoted UK trade and hosted events with figures from fashion and business.
She became Permanent Secretary at the Department for International Trade (building it post-Brexit), then at the Ministry of Justice, and most recently at the Home Office since April 2025, overseeing national security, borders, and public safety. She also led the official response to the 2024 summer riots.
Mentored early on by former Cabinet Secretary Jeremy Heywood, Romeo was shortlisted for the top job when Simon Case left but was passed over in favour of Wormald. Her appointment now marks a breakthrough for gender representation in Whitehall’s highest echelons – a point welcomed by the FDA union, which called her “an outstanding leader with a proven track record” while noting it was “ridiculous” that it took until 2026 for a woman to hold the position.
An outward-facing diplomat
Dame Antonia Romeo’s appointment marks not only a historic first for gender representation in Whitehall but also brings an unusually outward-facing diplomat to the heart of British governance.
During her 2016–2017 stint as British Consul General in New York, where she spearheaded post-Brexit trade promotion, Romeo hosted a series of high-profile, star-studded events at the British Residence, including a glamorous rooftop cocktail party to celebrate Vogue editor Anna Wintour’s damehood.
The gathering drew fashion heavyweights such as Calvin Klein, Donna Karan, Michael Kors, and Tory Burch, alongside figures like David Remnick and Gigi Hadid, underscoring her flair for blending diplomacy with cultural and celebrity networking in a way few mandarins have matched.
Not without controversy
Romeo’s path hasn’t been without scrutiny; earlier in her career, she faced bullying complaints (though cleared by investigations), and some reports have highlighted her “unorthodox” style. However, she also has an ability to deliver results in challenging roles, from trade negotiations to security crises.
As Cabinet Secretary, Romeo will serve as the Prime Minister’s principal policy adviser, secretary to the Cabinet, and leader of the entire Civil Service, a pivotal position in implementing the Labour government’s agenda.
The appointment signals Starmer’s intent to inject fresh momentum into the machinery of government, with many seeing Romeo’s drive as key to the promised period of reform and renewal.
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