Starmer appoints Antonia Romeo as head of the civil service

The Guardian - World NewsEN 3 min read 100% complete by Alexandra ToppingFebruary 19, 2026 at 10:46 AM

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Antonia Romeo has been appointed as the new cabinet secretary, the UK's most senior civil servant, by Keir Starmer. Romeo, the first woman to hold the post, replaces Chris Wormald and brings a reputation as a reformer with extensive experience across government departments, including the Home Office and the Ministry of Justice. Starmer praised her record and determination, emphasizing the need for a Cabinet Secretary who can support the government's agenda. Romeo expressed her commitment to delivery, efficiency, and innovation within the civil service. The appointment follows both praise from previous secretaries of state and past accusations of bullying, of which she was cleared.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Foreign Office 40% Jeremy Heywood 40% Simon Case 40% Shabana Mahmood 40% Ministry of Justice 50% Chris Wormald ×250% Home Office 50% Department for International Trade 50% Simon McDonald ×260% Cabinet Office 60% Keir Starmer ×270% Antonia Romeo ×790%

Keywords

civil service 100% antonia romeo 100% cabinet secretary 90% keir starmer 70% government reform 60% public servant 60% permanent secretary 50% public services 50% delivery efficiency 40%

Sentiment Analysis

Positive

Score: 0.20

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Source

The Guardian - World News

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90%

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civil service antonia romeo cabinet secretary keir starmer government reform public servant permanent secretary public services delivery efficiency

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