Starmer appoints Antonia Romeo as head of UK civil service

Dame Antonia Romeo has been named as the new cabinet secretary, the highest-ranking civil servant in the United Kingdom, in an appointment made by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. This historic appointment marks the first time a woman has held the position since the role’s creation over a century ago. Despite past controversies, including multiple bullying complaints during her career, government insiders have expressed confidence in her capabilities and effectiveness. Investigations into allegations concerning her conduct while serving as the UK’s consul general in New York found no evidence warranting action.

The cabinet secretary plays a critical role within the UK government as the prime minister’s chief policy adviser and attends weekly cabinet meetings to help steer government decision-making. Responsible for ensuring the implementation of government policies, the cabinet secretary oversees all civil servants across Great Britain. Dame Antonia brings extensive experience to the role, having previously been permanent secretary at key departments such as the Home Office, International Trade, and the Ministry of Justice.

Her appointment followed a thorough vetting process led by Baroness Gisela Stuart, the First Civil Service Commissioner. Reflecting on the decision, Sir Keir Starmer praised Dame Antonia for her “outstanding public service” and 25-year record of delivering results for the British public. Dame Antonia herself expressed pride in joining the role, calling the Civil Service “a great and remarkable institution” and emphasizing a commitment to “delivery, efficiency and innovation” to meet the nation’s challenges.

Before joining the Civil Service in 2000 as an economist, Dame Antonia graduated from the University of Oxford and had a career in consultancy. Among her notable postings was a stint as the UK consul general in New York from 2016 to 2017, where she focused on promoting British trade and business shortly after the Brexit referendum. During that time, she attracted some criticism regarding her social media use, with a former colleague suggesting she paid substantial attention to building her personal Twitter presence. Despite these criticisms, her appointment marks a significant milestone in the history of the UK Civil Service and conveys a strong message about diversity and leadership in government

Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More