Most people don’t think about who runs the machinery of government day to day — until something goes wrong. That’s when the name “Cabinet Secretary” surfaces, and the story of Dame Antonia Romeo, the first woman to hold that post in British history, becomes more than a biography.
Age: 51 (as of February 2026) · Role: Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Civil Service · Honors: Dame Commander of the Order of the Bath (DCB) · Born: 20 October 1974 · Education: University of Oxford
Quick snapshot
- Exact birthplace (not in top sources)
- Parents’ occupations beyond names
- Net worth or salary (not publicly disclosed)
- 19 February 2026: Appointed Cabinet Secretary (GOV.UK)
- 2023–2026: Permanent Secretary, Home Office (GOV.UK)
- 2021–2023: Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice (GOV.UK)
- Leads the Civil Service under a new government agenda
- Oversees the Cabinet Office and interdepartmental coordination
Nine key facts, one pattern: Romeo’s career is a masterclass in moving between policy, delivery, and diplomacy.
The table below captures the essential biographical data.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Antonia Romeo (née Rice-Evans) |
| Title | Dame Commander of the Order of the Bath (DCB) |
| Current role | Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Civil Service |
| Date of birth | 20 October 1974 |
| Education | University of Oxford |
| Spouse | Ben Romeo |
| Children | Two sons |
| Previous role | Permanent Secretary, Home Office (2023-2026) |
| Appointment | 19 February 2026 |
Who is Dame Antonia Romeo?
Early career and education
- Born Antonia Rice-Evans on 20 October 1974 (Wikipedia), she earned an MA in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from the University of Oxford and an MSc in Economics from the London School of Economics.
- She also holds an Advanced Management Programme diploma from Columbia Business School.
- After a brief stint at Oliver Wyman, she joined the Civil Service in 2000 as a professional economist (GOV.UK).
- Key internal roles: Principal Private Secretary in the Ministry of Justice (2006), Director General of Criminal Justice (2011), and Director General of Economic and Domestic Affairs for the Prime Minister during the 2015 election (Oliver Wyman alumni profile).
With degrees from Oxford, LSE, and Columbia, Romeo built a career that moved from economic analysis to high-level civil service leadership, culminating in three permanent secretary posts before the top job.
Why this matters: Her academic and early career path — economics, consultancy, then fast-track Whitehall — is unusual for a Cabinet Secretary, most of whom come from policy or law backgrounds.
Current role as Cabinet Secretary
On 19 February 2026, Romeo was formally appointed Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Civil Service by Prime Minister. She is the first woman to hold the combined position in UK history (Sky News). As the most senior civil servant, she advises the Prime Minister, coordinates Cabinet business, and leads the entire Civil Service workforce.
The implication: Romeo now stands at the apex of the British state machinery — a role that carries immense influence but also constitutional humility, serving the elected government of the day.
How old is Antonia Romeo?
Born on 20 October 1974 (Wikipedia), she turned 51 in October 2025 and was 51 at her appointment in February 2026 (Sky News). Her age is calculated from her publicly confirmed birth date.
What this means: At 51, Romeo is relatively young for a Cabinet Secretary — previous holders typically took the role in their late 50s or 60s, which could mean a longer tenure leading the civil service.
Who are the parents of Antonia Romeo?
According to Wikipedia, she is the daughter of John Rice-Evans and Julia Rice-Evans. Her maiden name is Rice-Evans. Her parents’ occupations and further biographical details are not widely publicised, which is typical for senior civil servants.
The trade-off: The public sees extensive career data but little family background — a design choice that protects privacy while maintaining transparency on professional credentials.
Does Antonia Romeo have children?
Marriage to Ben Romeo
- She is married to Ben Romeo, a barrister (Wikipedia).
- They have two sons (Wikipedia).
- The family moved to the United States in 2016 when Romeo took up her diplomatic post (Oliver Wyman alumni profile).
Cabinet Secretaries often keep their family lives private, but Romeo’s stint in New York with a young family shows a rare combination of diplomatic and domestic demands.
Who is the highest ranking civil servant in the UK?
The role of Cabinet Secretary
The Cabinet Secretary is the most senior official in the UK civil service, serving as the principal adviser to the Prime Minister, the head of the Cabinet Office, and the Head of the Civil Service. Romeo now holds all three functions (GOV.UK).
She is the first woman to serve as Cabinet Secretary in the UK (Sky News). Previous holders include Sir Simon Case (2020-2025), Sir Mark Sedwill (2018-2020), and Sir Jeremy Heywood (2012-2018).
Historical significance
Romeo’s appointment breaks a long line of male Cabinet Secretaries dating back to the creation of the role in 1916. Her career trajectory — from economist to permanent secretary to Cabinet Secretary — is also notable for its breadth across trade, justice, and home affairs.
Why this matters: Setting a precedent matters for the next generation. Romeo’s path shows that Whitehall’s most powerful job is no longer dependent on a traditional gender or disciplinary mould.
Career timeline of Antonia Romeo
- – Born Antonia Rice-Evans
- – Joined the UK Civil Service as economist (GOV.UK)
- – Principal Private Secretary, Ministry of Justice (Oliver Wyman)
- – Director General of Criminal Justice (Oliver Wyman)
- – Moved to US as Consul General New York and Economic Director (GOV.UK)
- – Permanent Secretary, Department for International Trade (GOV.UK)
- – Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice (GOV.UK)
- – Permanent Secretary, Home Office (GOV.UK)
- – Appointed Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Civil Service (GOV.UK)
Clarity check: what we know for sure
Confirmed facts
- Date of birth: 20 October 1974 (Wikipedia)
- Current role: Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Civil Service (GOV.UK)
- First woman in the role (Sky News)
- Married to Ben Romeo, two sons (Wikipedia)
- Education: Oxford (PPE), LSE (Econ), Columbia (AMP) (GOV.UK)
- Three consecutive permanent secretary posts (DIT, MoJ, Home Office) (GOV.UK)
- Joined Civil Service in 2000 (GOV.UK)
- Title: Dame Commander of the Order of the Bath (DCB) (GOV.UK)
What remains unclear
- Exact birthplace (not stated in official bio)
- Parents’ occupations or further background
- Net worth and exact salary (not public)
- Specific undergraduate college at Oxford
Quotes and perspectives
“I am honoured to take on this role and to lead the civil service at such a critical time.”
— Antonia Romeo, upon her appointment (GOV.UK)
“Antonia left the firm in 1999 and joined the Lord Chancellor’s Department on a temporary economist contract. She quickly rose through the ranks, becoming principal private secretary in the Ministry of Justice in 2006.”
— Oliver Wyman alumni profile
futuresforall.org, nlcs.org.uk, youtube.com, globalgovernmentforum.com
Frequently asked questions
What is Antonia Romeo’s maiden name?
Rice-Evans.
What does DCB stand for?
Dame Commander of the Order of the Bath, a chivalric order awarded for service.
What is the difference between Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Civil Service?
The Cabinet Secretary is the most senior civil servant advising the Prime Minister; the Head of the Civil Service leads the broader civil service workforce. Since 2020, the roles are combined.
How long has Antonia Romeo been in the civil service?
Since 2000.
What is Antonia Romeo’s nationality?
British.
What are the responsibilities of the Head of the Civil Service?
Leading the civil service workforce, ensuring ethical standards, and driving reform.
David Sinclair is Culture & Features Editor at PublicReport, covering arts, media, books, film, music and British cultural life.