Profession spy Blaise Metreweli will grow to be the primary girl to move MI6 in a “historic appointment”, the prime minister has introduced.
She’s going to take over from Sir Richard Moore because the 18th Chief, also called “C”, when he steps down within the autumn.
“The historic appointment of Blaise Metreweli comes at a time when the work of our intelligence services has never been more vital,” Sir Keir Starmer stated in an announcement launched on Sunday night time.
“The United Kingdom is facing threats on an unprecedented scale – be it aggressors who send their spy ships to our waters or hackers whose sophisticated cyber plots seek to disrupt our public services.”
Of the opposite foremost spy businesses, GCHQ can be underneath feminine command for the primary time.
Anne Keast-Butler took on the position in 2023, whereas MI5 has beforehand twice been led by a girl.
Till now, a feminine spy chief had solely headed MI6 – also called the Secret Intelligence Service (SIS) – within the James Bond motion pictures.
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Blaise Metreweli is the primary girl to be named head of MI6. Pic: Reuters
Dame Judi Dench held the fictional position – known as “M” within the movies as a substitute of “C” – between 1995 and 2015.
Ms Metreweli at the moment serves as “Q”, one in every of 4 director generals inside MI6.
The place – additionally made well-known by the James Bond movies, with the fictional “Q” producing an array of spy devices – means she is accountable for expertise and innovation.
Ms Metreweli, a Cambridge graduate, joined MI6 in 1999.
Not like the outgoing chief, who spent a few of his service as an everyday diplomat within the overseas workplace, together with as ambassador to Turkey, she has spent her whole profession as an intelligence officer.
A lot of that point was devoted to operational roles within the Center East and Europe.
Ms Metreweli, who is very regarded by colleagues, additionally labored as a director at MI5.
In an announcement, she stated she was “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,” she stated.
“I look forward to continuing that work alongside the brave officers and agents of MI6 and our many international partners.”
Sir Richard stated: “Blaise is a highly accomplished intelligence officer and leader, and one of our foremost thinkers on technology. I am excited to welcome her as the first female head of MI6.”
