Britain appoints first-ever female head of MI6
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has appointed Blaise Metreweli as the 18th Chief of the British Secret Intelligence Service, better known as MI6.
Metreweli is the first woman to ever hold the role of Chief, a position in which she will assume operational responsibility for MI6 and be accountable to the Foreign Secretary.
Commonly referred to as ‘C’, the Chief is the only member of MI6 who is publicly named. Metreweli succeeds Sir Richard Moore, who will step down from the Service in the autumn.
Her most recent position has been as MI6 Director-General (referred to as ‘Q’), responsible for technology and innovation. She also previously held a Director-level role at MI5, the Security Service, which is responsible for counter-intelligence and the UK’s domestic security.
Metreweli first joined the Service as a case officer in 1999 and has undertaken a variety of roles during her career in intelligence, with most of her time spent in operational roles across the Middle East and Europe.
Announcing the appoint of Metreweli as the first-ever female Chief of MI6, Starmer noted that she is stepping up to lead the service during a time of global instability.
“I am delighted to appoint Blaise Metreweli as the next Chief of MI6. With a wealth of experience from across our national security community, Blaise is the ideal candidate to lead MI6 into the future.”
“At a time of global instability and emerging security threats, where technology is power and our adversaries are working ever closer together, Blaise will ensure the UK can tackle these challenges head on to keep Britain safe and secure at home and abroad,” he said.
“I am proud and honoured to be asked to lead my Service. MI6 plays a vital role – with MI5 and GCHQ – in keeping the British people safe and promoting UK interests overseas,” Metreweli said.
“I look forward to continuing that work alongside the brave officers and agents of MI6 and our many international partners.”
