"Sir Keir Starmer has appointed Antonia Romeo as the new Cabinet Secretary and head of the Civil Service, making her the first woman to hold the powerful Whitehall post in its modern history. The appointment by Keir Starmer, widely anticipated in recent weeks, places the current permanent secretary at the Home Office at the apex of the UK's administrative system. As Cabinet Secretary, Dame Antonia will serve as the Prime Minister's most senior official adviser, responsible for coordinating the work of government departments and leading the Civil Service at a critical political moment."
"The Cabinet Secretary role - often described as the most influential unelected position in British government - carries responsibility for advising the Prime Minister, ensuring collective Cabinet decision-making functions smoothly, and upholding standards across the Civil Service. Her appointment marks the first time a woman has formally taken on the role, a milestone in an institution that has historically been dominated by men at its most senior levels."
"However, her rise has not been without controversy. Dame Antonia previously faced allegations of bullying linked to her time as consul general in New York in 2017. Following an inquiry conducted by the Cabinet Office, she was cleared of the claims. Sources have said that, in the aftermath of the investigation, she had "tough conversations" about her management style. One source told the BBC that while she had been cleared of formal wrongdoing, "there were some issues of personal style that grated with people.""
Keir Starmer appointed Antonia Romeo as Cabinet Secretary and head of the Civil Service, making her the first woman to hold the role in modern Whitehall. The position places her at the apex of the UK administrative system as the Prime Minister's most senior official adviser, responsible for coordinating government departments and leading the Civil Service. The role entails ensuring collective Cabinet decision-making functions effectively and upholding standards across the Civil Service. The appointment is framed as both symbolic and substantive, signalling a shift in senior leadership composition. Previous allegations of bullying from 2017 were investigated by the Cabinet Office and she was cleared, though questions about her personal management style have been reported.
Read at London Business News | Londonlovesbusiness.com
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