Arabic version: البارونة أنطونيا روميو تصنع التاريخ كقائدة للخدمة المدنية في المملكة المتحدة
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has appointed Dame Antonia Romeo as cabinet secretary, marking a historic moment as she becomes the first woman to hold this position in the role’s 110-year history. This appointment comes as Starmer seeks to strengthen the leadership of the UK civil service.
According to BBC News, Dame Antonia has held senior roles across various government departments, including the Home Office, International Trade, and the Ministry of Justice. Her extensive experience in these roles has contributed to her reputation as a capable leader.
Despite facing multiple bullying complaints earlier in her career, government sources indicate that Starmer was impressed by her ability to “get things done”. Previous investigations into allegations regarding her conduct while serving as the UK’s consul general in New York concluded with no case to answer, which bolstered her candidacy for the role.
Dame Antonia’s responsibilities as cabinet secretary will include advising the prime minister and ensuring that policy decisions are effectively implemented. She replaces Sir Chris Wormald, who had the shortest tenure in history for this position, serving only 14 months before his departure.
In her first statements following the appointment, Dame Antonia expressed her commitment to the Civil Service, emphasizing its importance and her desire to enhance its reputation for delivery and innovation. Starmer praised her as an “outstanding public servant” and highlighted her professionalism and determination to get things done.
