GovWire

Antonia Romeo has been appointed Her Majestys Consul General in New York and to the newly created role of Director-General Economic and Commercial Affairs USA. She will succeed Danny Lopez as Consul General, who will return to the private sector in London. Antonia Romeo will take up her appointment in July 2016, and will be the first woman to serve in the position.

Sir Kim Darroch, Her Majestys Ambassador to the United States said:

Im delighted to announce Antonia Romeos appointment as Her Majestys Consul General in New York. Additionally, in reflection of the importance of the Governments economic agenda and the vital UK-US trade relationship, Antonia will also assume the newly created role of Director-General Economic and Commercial Affairs USA, and will retain her current position as Special Envoy to the US technology companies. Antonia will bring unique expertise and dynamism to this new role, which will lead on all economic, business, trade, investment and digital issues across the Foreign & Commonwealth Offices US Network.

As Consul General, Antonia Romeo will have responsibility for promoting the UKs economic profile, foreign policy, and national security priorities in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Connecticuts Fairfield County. As Director-General Economic and Commercial Affairs USA, she will direct the business and prosperity work of the UK Government across the United States, including oversight of the North American operations of UK Trade & Investment, the foreign commercial arm of the UK Government.

Dr. Catherine Raines, CEO of UK Trade & Investment said:

Antonias background in economic policy, and extensive experience furthering the prosperity agenda of the UK Government, will greatly enhance UK Trade & Investments efforts across the United States. The US is our number one trading partner, and Antonia will play a vital role in continued growth of trade and investment activity between the two countries.

Previously, Antonia Romeo was Director General and Head of the Economic and Domestic Secretariat in the Cabinet Office, and has held many high-ranking posts in Her Majestys Government since joining the civil service as an economist in 2000 from the private sector. Her previous positions have included:

• Director-General, Criminal Justice at the Ministry of Justice (MoJ)
• Director at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office
• Principal Private Secretary to the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice at MoJ

Romeo holds an MA (PPE) from Oxford University, and an MSc (Economics) from the London School of Economics.

Further information

• View Antonia Romeos profile here

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