As she heads to the Home Office, Antonia Romeo reflects on leadership lessons and memorable moments at the Ministry of Justice
You've spoken about the pride and pleasure you felt at returning to the Ministry of Justice as perm sec after it played such a key role in your career. How hard is it to now leave the organisation?
The MoJ is probably the most important institution of my working life – I was the PPS there when it was created and I’ve spent much of my career there, so it feels very much my “home” department. The feeling of walking into the room just over four years ago which I thought of then as “the permanent secretary’s office” (having worked for two permanent secretaries who’d had that office) was one of great privilege, and I have felt that privilege every day since.
I’m very excited to join the Home Office and the great team and critical agenda there – but leaving the MoJ is certainly a bittersweet moment. I leave with real pride in what we’ve achieved together and I look forward to cheering the team on from my new role.
Can you give us a few highlights of your time at the MoJ – perhaps one corporate, one related to policy, and one personal?
Antonia Romeo with Civil Service Awards winners at Lancaster House
It’s hard to choose just three, but for a corporate highlight it has to be watching MoJ teams and colleagues win three (THREE!) awards at last year's Civil Service Awards. This was a truly fantastic moment – colleagues won the Programme of the Year Award, the Cabinet Secretary’s Outstanding Leader Award, AND the Prime Minister’s Award for Exceptional Public Service. I imagine the feeling of pride that colleagues’ achievements had been recognised was akin to James Cameron at the 1997 Oscars (when Titanic won 11).
For a policy highlight – the MoJ’s response to the violent disorder over summer 2024, which generated immediate demands throughout our services soon after the arrival of a new government. Teams mobilised quickly to ensure that those involved in the disorder were brought to justice swiftly, working closely with criminal justice partners for a joined-up criminal justice system response.
For a personal highlight – it has to be going with my family to Buckingham Palace in February, for my damehood investiture by HM The King.
What has your time leading the MoJ taught you about leadership?
The MoJ delivers for people often at their lowest point, such as victims who find themselves in the justice system through no fault of their own; or families going through a traumatic time. My time in MoJ has taught me that purpose is the most powerful motivator of all – and the purpose in what we do in MoJ has made it easy to lead the department of 96,000 people who do it. I’ve always thought leadership is a team sport, but certainly the challenges in the justice system of recent years have shown me that having a collaborative and resilient top team is essential to navigate through the most difficult crises.
"I’ve always thought leadership is a team sport, but the challenges in the justice system of recent years have shown me that having a collaborative and resilient top team is essential"
As well as permanent secretary at the MoJ, you have been Clerk of the Crown in Chancery – a role that comes with plenty of ceremonial functions that can have deep historical significance. Which was your favourite, or the most memorable, of these moments?
Since 1885, the clerk of the Crown in Chancery role has been undertaken by the perm sec at the MoJ. In this role I have officiated at four prorogations of parliament, four state openings of parliament, four openings of the legal year; had responsibility for the swearing in of five lord chancellors (including one twice), one lord chief justice, six attorney generals (including one twice), 555 KCs/QCs; and issued letters patent to four lord mayors of London.
The extraordinary high point was the honour of writing and producing the official coronation roll, which recorded for posterity Their Majesties’ coronation in 2023. The roll was published on 6 May 2024, after I presented it to Their Majesties on 1 May.
Finally, what's your message to staff as you leave the MoJ?
It’s got to be a huge thank you to the 96,000 colleagues I have worked with for four years, who serve the public with pride and who have achieved a huge amount in very challenging circumstances. Running this department, which I love, has been the unrivalled highlight of my career to date.