Prime Minister Keir Starmer selected Romeo for the role, praising her professionalism and determination over a 25-year career in public service.

According to The Guardian, the appointment follows criticism from former Foreign Office permanent secretary Simon McDonald. However, Romeo has received strong support from other former secretaries of state and current Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood.

Romeo, the longest-serving permanent secretary in the civil service, is regarded as a reformer and has maintained a higher public profile than many peers. She previously faced bullying allegations related to her tenure as consul general in New York in 2017 but was cleared by the Cabinet Office.

She becomes the first woman in the 110-year history of the post and has held senior roles across major departments, including permanent secretary positions at the Home Office, the Department for International Trade established after Brexit, and the Ministry of Justice, where she led the official response to the 2024 summer riots.

Romeo replaces Chris Wormald, who stepped down last week amid perceptions among senior figures in No. 10 that he had been ineffective.

10 Downing Street, located in London, serves as the official residence and office of the British prime minister and has been the centre of UK government operations since 1735. It hosts world leaders, cabinet meetings and key policy decisions.

Romeo had previously been mentored by former cabinet secretary Jeremy Heywood. She was shortlisted for the top position when former cabinet secretary Simon Case left the civil service but ultimately lost out to Wormald.

Starmer described her as an outstanding public servant and said her record demonstrated an ability to deliver results. He added that with families facing ongoing cost-of-living pressures, the government required a cabinet secretary capable of supporting reforms, strengthening public services and advancing national renewal.

Romeo called her appointment a huge privilege, describing the civil service as a remarkable institution known for delivery, efficiency and innovation in implementing the government’s agenda.

In an interview with Channel 4 News, Lord McDonald said there should have been more thorough due diligence before her appointment, suggesting further scrutiny was needed.

No. 10 said full vetting had already been conducted when Romeo was previously shortlisted after Case’s departure. Downing Street also consulted Civil Service Commissioner Gisela Stuart, who determined that the full recruitment process did not need to be repeated.

Stuart stated that Romeo has an excellent leadership record across the civil service, including three permanent secretary roles in some of the most complex operational departments in government.

Downing Street officials further said that enhanced due diligence had been carried out by the permanent secretary of the Cabinet Office and the interim chief people officer.