Antonia Romeo has been tapped by Keir Starmer to lead a major drive to modernise the British state, a move announced on 19 February. The appointment puts her at the centre of an ambitious Whitehall shake-up — and Westminster is watching closely.
Who is Antonia Romeo — and what will she do? – Romeo is a senior civil servant with a track record of delivering tough operational changes across government. Colleagues describe her as focused, decisive and results‑oriented. – Her brief: coordinate cross‑department reform, simplify bureaucratic processes, improve policy delivery and oversee large‑scale organisational modernisation. That means aligning day‑to‑day administration with the government’s political priorities while managing complex implementation work.
Why this role matters – This isn’t about memo‑writing. It’s about turning strategy into services people notice: faster decisions, clearer accountability and better use of technology and data. – Success will hinge on persuading permanent secretaries and ministers to back change. Without their buy‑in, even well‑designed reforms risk stalling.
What insiders say – Supporters point to Romeo’s record pushing through difficult projects and her focus on tangible outcomes rather than process for its own sake. – Critics worry about speed and style: a top‑down approach can deliver quick results but may also provoke resistance and damage long‑term cooperation. – Practical priorities flagged by officials include: improving core public services, modernising IT and data systems, and tightening the machinery that turns policy into action.
Immediate challenges – The job requires converting big ambitions into workable departmental plans without disrupting essential services. – Constraints are real: institutional inertia, competing departmental priorities and shortages of specialist skills will all slow progress unless deliberately addressed. – Officials say clarity on timelines, resources and incentives will be decisive. Planning meetings are already under way in several departments.
What to watch next – Early signals: the composition of Romeo’s immediate team, the first set of cross‑department targets, and whether permanent secretaries publicly back the programme. – Short‑term measures to look for: published implementation guidance, concrete timelines and staff‑capacity investments. – Outcomes matter more than headlines — reductions in waiting times, better digital services or faster policy roll‑out will be the best proof the reforms are working.
The political angle – This appointment is also a test for the Starmer administration’s appetite for state renewal. If reforms remain rhetorical, critics will have a point. If they change how services run, the impact could be broad and lasting.
Latest: the situation is evolving – Departments are preparing handovers and drafting implementation plans. Downing Street and the Cabinet Office are expected to publish further briefings — watch for updates around 09:00 GMT. The real question now is whether she can build the coalitions, secure the resources and steer the messy work of change so that modernisation moves from promise to everyday reality.