Keir Starmer has named Antonia Romeo as the new cabinet secretary, succeeding Chris Wormald. The prime minister stated he has been impressed by her professionalism and determination to deliver results since entering office. As the UK’s top civil servant, Romeo marks a historic milestone as the first woman in the role’s 110-year history.
Despite renewed scrutiny over past leadership investigations and the expedited vetting process, supporters view her appointment as a potential catalyst for Labour’s push toward cultural reform in Whitehall.
Profile of Dame Antonia Romeo
Dame Antonia Romeo climbed the civil service ladder over nearly a decade, heading key economic, public services, and security departments. She held permanent secretary positions at the Department for International Trade, Ministry of Justice, and Home Office, where she has served since April 2025.
Observers describe her as unorthodox and dynamic, distinct from typical Whitehall figures. She spearheaded efforts to tackle prison overcrowding, including the Sentencing Review and other critical initiatives.
During her tenure as UK consul general in New York from 2016 to 2017, Romeo encountered multiple bullying complaints and an expenses allegation. Official probes concluded there was no case to answer.
Reactions to the Appointment
Early February saw sharp criticism from Lord McDonald, former head of the Diplomatic Service. In a recent interview, he stressed that due diligence remains essential, cautioning against an unnecessary tragedy akin to Peter Mandelson’s past appointment and urging a review of her record.
Dave Penman, general secretary of the FDA union, rejected the criticisms as rooted in sexist and misogynistic culture. He called the attacks nonsense, noting Romeo has undergone exhaustive vetting.
Supporters of the cabinet secretary accuse Foreign Office officials of waging a briefing campaign with misogynistic undertones, targeting her ambitious style, charm, outgoing nature, and physical appearance.
Whitehall’s Gender Dynamics Under Starmer
Starmer’s administration has drawn ‘boys’ club’ accusations well before recent controversies. Critics pointed to a pattern of favoring men for top roles.
With former chief of staff Morgan McSweeney and Wormald now departed, the prime minister relies predominantly on female advisers. Vidhya Alakeson and Jill Cuthbertson serve as acting chiefs of staff, Amy Richards as political director, and Sophie Nazemi as acting head of communications.
While the shift signals potential end to male dominance, observers emphasize that Starmer’s longevity hinges on effective delivery, not just gender balance. Amid backlash over appointments like Peter Mandelson and Matthew Doyle to the House of Lords, optimism grows for broader representation and diverse viewpoints in key decisions, fostering meaningful change.
