Dame Antonia Rebecca Caroline Romeo has built a distinguished career within the British civil service, steadily rising to some of the most senior administrative roles in the United Kingdom. Born on October 20, 1974, she has spent decades working behind the scenes in government, helping guide major departments through policy reform, economic strategy, and international diplomacy.
Unlike elected officials, senior civil servants like Antonia Romeo operate at the heart of government administration — managing large departments, advising ministers, and ensuring policies are implemented effectively. In April 2025, she was appointed Permanent Under-Secretary of State at the Home Office, one of the most significant leadership roles in the UK civil service.
Her career reflects consistency, discretion, and expertise across justice, trade, and international affairs. In this article, we explore her early life, diplomatic service, senior leadership roles, appointment to the Home Office, and her overall contribution to public administration.
Civil Service Leaders Voice Support for Antonia Romeo Amid Public Scrutiny
Senior figures within the UK civil service have publicly expressed support for Dame Antonia Romeo, the Permanent Under-Secretary at the Home Office, following recent media attention surrounding her department. According to reports, colleagues and former officials emphasized her long-standing record of professionalism and administrative leadership, describing her as a steady and experienced figure in public service.
The backing from fellow civil servants highlights confidence in her ability to manage complex government operations during challenging periods. Romeo, who has previously served as Permanent Secretary at both the Ministry of Justice and the Department for International Trade, is widely regarded for her extensive experience across multiple departments.
Officials supporting her noted that civil service leadership roles often involve overseeing large systems and responding to evolving policy demands. They reiterated the importance of maintaining stability and institutional continuity within key government offices. As discussions continue, Romeo remains in her role at the Home Office, focusing on operational responsibilities and departmental management.
Early Life, Education & Family
Antonia Romeo was born on October 20, 1974, in the United Kingdom. While she maintains a relatively private personal profile, her educational background is publicly documented and reflects a strong academic foundation.
She studied at Brasenose College, Oxford, graduating in 1996. Her time at Oxford helped shape her intellectual and analytical skills, which would later support her in policy-making and diplomatic work.
She also studied at Columbia University, expanding her academic experience internationally. This global perspective became especially valuable in her later diplomatic assignments.
Public records confirm she is married to John Romeo, and the couple has three children. Despite holding high-profile leadership positions, she has generally maintained a private family life, keeping personal matters separate from her professional responsibilities.
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Career in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Antonia Romeo began her civil service journey in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), where she gained early experience in diplomacy and international relations.
The FCO plays a critical role in representing British interests abroad, managing diplomatic relations, and supporting global economic engagement. During her time there, Romeo developed expertise in economic policy, international trade discussions, and cross-border cooperation.
Her early assignments helped build the foundation for her later leadership roles, particularly in positions requiring strategic negotiation and coordination across governments.
Role as British Consul-General in New York
One of her most visible international roles was serving as British Consul-General in New York. In this capacity, she represented the UK government in one of the world’s most influential cities.
Simultaneously, she held the title of Director-General for Economic and Commercial Affairs in the United States, overseeing economic relations between the UK and US.
This dual role required:
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Managing diplomatic relationships
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Supporting trade and investment partnerships
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Coordinating with US policymakers
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Representing British economic interests abroad
Her tenure in New York demonstrated her ability to operate at the intersection of diplomacy and economic strategy. It also elevated her profile within senior government leadership circles.
Permanent Secretary Leadership Positions
Antonia Romeo later transitioned into senior leadership within domestic government departments. She served as:
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Permanent Secretary at the Department for International Trade
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Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Justice
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Clerk of the Crown in Chancery (2021–2025)
As Permanent Secretary, she became the most senior civil servant in these departments, responsible for overseeing thousands of employees, managing budgets, and advising cabinet-level ministers.
At the Ministry of Justice, her responsibilities included overseeing administrative operations related to courts, prisons, and legal policy frameworks. As Clerk of the Crown in Chancery, she also held ceremonial responsibilities tied to official state processes.
These positions require not only policy knowledge but also large-scale organizational leadership and accountability.
Appointment to the Home Office (2025)
In April 2025, Antonia Romeo was appointed Permanent Under-Secretary of State at the Home Office, one of the most influential departments in the UK government.
The Home Office oversees areas including:
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Immigration systems
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Border security
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Policing policy
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Public safety
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Counter-extremism strategy
As Permanent Under-Secretary, she became the department’s most senior civil servant, working directly with the Home Secretary — including Yvette Cooper and later Shabana Mahmood.
Her appointment signaled trust in her administrative experience and leadership capability. Managing such a complex department requires balancing operational efficiency with public accountability.
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Public Service Philosophy & Leadership Style
While senior civil servants rarely outline personal political views publicly, Antonia Romeo’s career reflects a consistent emphasis on professionalism, discretion, and institutional stability.
Her leadership style is often described as:
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Structured and strategic
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Detail-oriented
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Policy-focused
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Institutionally grounded
Having worked across trade, justice, and international diplomacy, she brings cross-departmental insight to each new role.
Her ability to manage transitions between departments has become one of her defining career strengths.
Personal Life: Husband & Children
Public records confirm that Antonia Romeo is married to John Romeo. Together, they have three children.
Despite her demanding professional responsibilities, she has maintained a low-profile personal life. Unlike elected politicians who campaign publicly, civil servants often operate quietly behind the scenes.
No additional personal speculation is included here — only verified public information.
Net Worth & Career Earnings
Unlike private-sector executives, senior UK civil servants do not typically accumulate wealth through corporate stock options or business ventures. Their compensation is based on government salary scales.
As a Permanent Secretary, Antonia Romeo’s salary would fall within the senior civil service pay band — typically ranging from approximately £150,000 to £200,000 annually, depending on role and tenure.
Precise net worth figures are not publicly disclosed. However, given her long tenure in senior public service roles, her financial standing reflects:
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Government salary earnings
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Pension contributions
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Standard professional compensation
It is important to note that UK civil service salaries are publicly regulated and structured, rather than speculative.
Search trends about her net worth generally stem from curiosity about high-level government roles rather than confirmed personal financial disclosures.
Quick Bio Table
| Full Name | Dame Antonia Rebecca Caroline Romeo |
|---|---|
| Born | October 20, 1974 |
| Age | 51 years (2026) |
| Education | Brasenose College, Oxford (1996); Columbia University |
| Spouse | John Romeo |
| Children | 3 |
| Previous Roles | Permanent Secretary (MoJ, DIT); Clerk of the Crown in Chancery |
| Current Role | Permanent Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (since 2025) |
| Nationality | British |
| Social Media | XTwitter |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: How old is Antonia Romeo in 2026?
A: She is 51 years old.
Q: What is her current role?
A: She serves as Permanent Under-Secretary of State at the UK Home Office.
Q: Who is Antonia Romeo’s husband?
A: Her husband is John Romeo.
Q: How many children does she have?
A: She has three children.
Q: What departments has she led?
A: She has served as Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Justice and Department for International Trade.
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