Blaise Metreweli Named MI6’s First Female Chief Amid Global Security Pressures

For the first time since its founding in 1909, the United Kingdom’s Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) will be led by a woman. Blaise Metreweli, a seasoned intelligence officer with more than two decades of service, has been appointed as the agency’s 18th chief, marking a historic milestone for Britain’s foreign spy service. 

Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed the appointment, describing it as “historic” and noting, “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.” 

He added, “I’d like to thank Sir Richard Moore for his dedicated service, and I know Blaise will continue to provide the excellent leadership needed to defend our country and keep our people safe, the foundation of my Plan for Change.” 

Metreweli, 47, has been with MI6 since 1999 and is currently Director General “Q”, a role focusing on technology and innovation to safeguard agents’ identities and counter threats like cyberattacks. 

She is also a Cambridge graduate in Anthropology and has served in director roles at MI5, the UK’s domestic security agency. She will take over from Sir Richard Moore, who steps down this autumn after five years at the helm. 

Accepting the appointment, Metreweli 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. I look forward to continuing that work alongside the brave officers and agents of MI6 and our many international partners.” 

Foreign Secretary David Lammy called Metreweli “the ideal candidate to lead MI6 into the future.” 

Outgoing chief Sir Richard Moore expressed his full support, saying, “I am absolutely delighted by this historic appointment of my colleague, Blaise Metreweli, to succeed me as ‘C’. 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.” 

The appointment also fulfills a goal Moore highlighted last year when he committed to helping “forge women's equality by working to ensure I'm the last C selected from an all-male shortlist.” 

The role of MI6 chief, known as “C”, comes with some unusual traditions. The codename comes from Captain Mansfield Cumming, the first head of the service, who signed all his letters with a green-ink “C”, a practice that continues today. Also, despite what James Bond movies suggest, the “C” does not give agents a license to kill. 

Any such actions must be authorised by the Foreign Secretary under strict UK laws. 

Metreweli’s appointment breaks a long-standing barrier. While MI5 and GCHQ have had female leaders, MI6 has lagged—until now.  But the real test lies ahead - as MI6 faces evolving threats from hostile states like Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea, as well as non-state actors.