Britain has named its first female MI6 chief, marking a historic moment for the country’s intelligence service. Blaise Metreweli, currently the director of technology and innovation at MI6, will take charge of the U.K.’s foreign intelligence agency this fall. This is the first time a woman will lead the agency since it was founded in 1909.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the appointment, calling it a “historic appointment” amid rising security challenges. He highlighted that Britain faces threats on many fronts, including spy ships near its waters and cyber attacks aimed at public services.
Metreweli, 47, has spent 25 years in intelligence and is known for her expertise in technology. She has a degree in anthropology from Cambridge University, where she was part of the women’s rowing team. Her current role in technology and innovation links her to the fictional character Q from James Bond, who designs gadgets for spies.
Unlike the fictional MI6 chief “M” played by Judi Dench in the Bond movies, Metreweli is the first woman to hold the real-life post, known simply as “C.” She will replace Richard Moore, who served as chief for five years.
The appointment reflects changes in the spy agency. In the past, MI6 mostly recruited from elite universities using a “tap on the shoulder” method. Now, it aims to attract talent from a wide range of backgrounds and offers family-friendly work policies.
Moore, who is Oxford-educated and once fit the classic spy image, had expressed a wish for a female successor. In 2023, he said he wanted to be the last chief chosen from an all-male shortlist.
Other British intelligence agencies have already had female leaders. MI5, the domestic security service, was led by Stella Rimington from 1992 to 1996 and Eliza Manningham-Buller between 2002 and 2007. In 2023, Anne Keast-Butler became head of GCHQ, the electronic and cyber-intelligence agency.
The selection process for the new MI6 chief was kept secret. The country’s top civil servant asked government departments to suggest candidates. The job was open to people from intelligence, civil service, diplomatic service, armed forces, and police.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy praised Metreweli’s appointment. He said she will help the U.K. face global risks and keep the country safe by using her knowledge of technology.
The U.K. intelligence community currently faces serious threats from countries like China and Russia. These threats include cyberattacks, spying, and efforts to influence public opinion. MI6 also remains alert to terrorist dangers.
Metreweli’s leadership signals a new chapter for MI6. Her background in technology and innovation fits the growing importance of cyber skills in intelligence work. She will lead the agency during a time when global security challenges are more complex than ever.
Her appointment as the first female MI6 chief is a step forward for gender equality in British intelligence. It shows a clear break from the agency’s traditionally male-dominated past.
Britain’s MI6 has been an important player in global intelligence for more than 100 years. Now, with Blaise Metreweli at its helm, the service aims to keep up with new threats while embracing diversity and modern skills.
