Britain’s civil service is bracing for a historic leadership change as Dame Antonia Romeo, a figure both lauded for her reformist zeal and criticized for her progressive stances, is set to become the nation’s first female Cabinet Secretary. The expected appointment comes amid a swirl of upheaval at the heart of government, with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer orchestrating a rapid shake-up of his top team in the wake of mounting political pressure and a string of high-profile resignations.
On February 11, 2026, reports from The Telegraph, The Mail on Sunday, and other major outlets confirmed that Sir Chris Wormald, who had served as Cabinet Secretary for just over a year, is stepping down. Wormald’s departure follows the recent resignations of the Prime Minister’s chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, and director of communications, Tim Allan. The exodus has raised eyebrows across Westminster, not least because Wormald’s tenure marks the shortest in the 100-year history of the Cabinet Secretary role. According to The Mail on Sunday, Wormald is expected to receive a £250,000 payoff and will retire with a taxpayer-funded pension worth £2.5 million.
Into this turbulent landscape steps Dame Antonia Romeo, currently the Permanent Secretary at the Home Office. At 51, Romeo has spent more than two decades in the civil service, holding senior positions across the Home Office, Ministry of Justice, and Department for International Trade, as well as serving as British consul general in New York. She was awarded a damehood in 2024 for public service, a testament to her impact and longevity in government. Her academic credentials are equally impressive: Romeo studied Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Oxford and holds a master’s in economics from the London School of Economics.
But it’s not just her CV that’s making headlines. Romeo has been dubbed the “Queen of Woke” by some critics for her outspoken advocacy of diversity and inclusion. She served as the civil service’s gender inclusion champion, penned a widely read blog called “Breaking the menopause taboo in the Civil Service,” and has publicly stated that diversity and inclusion are “absolutely crucial” for Whitehall. She also expressed pride when one of her former departments was praised by Stonewall for being “more inclusive for trans staff.”
Her progressive stances have earned her both admirers and detractors. According to The Mail on Sunday, Romeo’s tenure as consul general in New York saw her host lavish events for celebrities such as Anna Wintour and Calvin Klein, moves that reportedly raised eyebrows among some colleagues. Allegations surfaced in 2017 accusing Romeo of bullying, harassment, discrimination, and misuse of expenses—including claims she allowed her husband’s firm to use the taxpayer-funded residence for work events and that she spent government money on school fees, business class flights, taxis, and even £30,000 worth of paint and furnishings for her official flat.
However, the Cabinet Office ultimately cleared her of all wrongdoing. As The Telegraph reported, “These allegations were made some time ago, were thoroughly investigated and were dismissed on the basis there was no case to answer.” Still, the episode has fueled ongoing debate about her management style and priorities. Dave Penman, general secretary of the civil servants’ union, suggested that some of the criticism directed at Romeo carried a “whiff of misogyny.”
Romeo’s imminent appointment is not without precedent. She has twice before been a frontrunner for the top civil service job, missing out to Simon Case in 2020 and to Wormald just over a year ago. According to government insiders quoted by The Evening Standard, “She’s the obvious and outstanding candidate for it. Wormald was appointed because he was a safe pair of hands and less of a disrupter. Romeo is the opposite and would attempt to rewire the state, which is what we now desperately need.”
Her supporters point to her recent successes at the Home Office, particularly her handling of the small boats crisis and her willingness to overhaul senior management structures. She has been described by colleagues as “somebody who gets things done and is very focused on delivery,” with a reputation as a “disruptor” unafraid to challenge the status quo. According to The Telegraph, Romeo’s approach stands in contrast to Wormald, who was seen by some in Downing Street as “the embodiment of Whitehall groupthink.”
Yet the manner of her appointment has also sparked debate. The Prime Minister reportedly intends to bypass an open recruitment process, relying on the fact that Romeo was previously vetted and approved as suitable for the role. Lord McDonald, who served as Permanent Secretary at the Foreign Office during Romeo’s time in New York, emphasized the importance of due diligence in such appointments, especially when the candidate has faced past investigations—even if ultimately cleared.
Political reactions have been mixed. John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, voiced skepticism: “Chopping and changing at the top of the Civil Service will do no good for taxpayers unless they bring in someone who really cares about results. Too many senior mandarins care more about what’s best for the Civil Service, not what’s best for the country.” On the other hand, Michael Gove, the former Conservative cabinet secretary, criticized the negative briefings against Wormald and praised his “dedicated public service” and coherent reform efforts. Meanwhile, some Labour insiders see Romeo’s arrival as a much-needed jolt for a government facing mounting criticism and internal dissent.
Romeo’s personal interests have also drawn attention. Like Starmer, she is a devoted Arsenal fan and a mother of three. Her blend of high-level experience, reformist energy, and willingness to court controversy has made her a polarizing figure—admired by those seeking change, and eyed warily by defenders of tradition.
As Britain prepares to welcome its first female Cabinet Secretary, the stakes for both Romeo and Starmer could hardly be higher. With the government under fire for recent policy missteps and public confidence in Whitehall’s leadership wavering, Romeo’s appointment will be watched closely—not only for what it signals about the future direction of the civil service, but also for its potential to reshape the culture and priorities at the heart of British government.
One thing is clear: Dame Antonia Romeo’s arrival at the top of Whitehall marks a pivotal moment, promising both disruption and the possibility of renewal at a time when both are in short supply.