Keir Starmer appoints Antonia Romeo, first woman Cabinet Secretary, to lead UK civil service amid government reset.

Keir Starmer has appointed Dame Antonia Romeo as Cabinet Secretary and head of the UK Civil Service, the first woman to hold the role. She succeeds Sir Chris Wormald, who stepped down after 14 months amid controversies over high-profile appointments. Romeo, a senior civil servant with experience at the Home Office, Ministry of Justice, and Department for International Trade, was chosen following an enhanced vetting process. Past allegations of bullying were cleared by the Cabinet Office. Her appointment follows a government reset and has been supported by senior officials, including Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and Chief Secretary Darren Jones. Starmer praised her for her record of delivering results.