Keir Starmer has designated the first woman to lead the civil service in over a century. Dame Antonia Romeo, previously the Home Office permanent secretary, is now appointed as the Cabinet Secretary and head of the Civil Service. This decision follows Sir Chris Wormald’s departure from his government role after just 14 months, mutually agreed upon with the Prime Minister.
Dame Antonia, widely viewed as the top candidate for the position, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity, emphasizing the importance of the Civil Service in delivering efficiency, innovation, and supporting the government’s initiatives. She affirmed her commitment to collaborating with colleagues to fulfill the government’s agenda and address national challenges.
In response to the appointment, Keir Starmer praised Dame Antonia’s exceptional track record of public service spanning 25 years. He commended her dedication to achieving results and highlighted the government’s focus on alleviating financial burdens, enhancing public services, and revitalizing local communities. Starmer emphasized the need for a capable Cabinet Secretary to facilitate these objectives and expressed confidence in Dame Antonia’s ability to lead government reform efforts.
Former Foreign Office head Sir Simon McDonald recently raised concerns about the appointment process, calling for thorough due diligence. However, First Civil Service Commissioner Baroness Gisela Stuart affirmed that Dame Antonia’s appointment underwent rigorous scrutiny and received approval following comprehensive due diligence procedures.
