MI6 will likely be led by a girl for the primary time within the international intelligence service’s 116-year historical past.
Blaise Metreweli, who joined the Secret Intelligence Service in 1999, will change into the 18th chief of the organisation and take over from Sir Richard Moore later this yr.
She is at the moment accountable for expertise and innovation on the service and mentioned she was “proud and honoured” to have been requested to guide.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer known as the appointment “historic” at a time “when the work of our intelligence companies has by no means been extra important”.
MI6 is tasked with gathering intelligence abroad to enhance the UK’s safety, with its core goals being to cease terrorism, disrupt the actions of hostile states and bolster cyber-security.
Its chief, generally known as “C”, is the one publicly named member of the service.
Ms Metreweli, 47, is at the moment Director Basic “Q” – head of the essential expertise and innovation division that goals to maintain the identities of secret brokers secret, and give you new methods to evade adversaries like China’s biometric surveillance.
“MI6 performs an important function – with MI5 and GCHQ – in conserving the British individuals protected and selling UK pursuits abroad,” she mentioned.
“I sit up for persevering with that work alongside the courageous officers and brokers of MI6 and our many worldwide companions.”
Ms Metreweli, who studied anthropology on the College of Cambridge, has beforehand held director degree roles in MI5 – MI6’s sister, home safety company – and spent most of her profession working within the Center East and Europe.
On the King’s abroad and worldwide birthday honours record in 2024, she obtained the Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) for her companies to British international coverage.
Speaking to the Telegraph in December 2021 when she was at MI5, underneath the pseudonym of “Director Ok”, Ms Metreweli mentioned threats to UK nationwide safety “actually are various”.
“The threats we’re primarily exist round defending authorities, defending secrets and techniques, defending our individuals – so counter-assassination – defending our financial system, delicate expertise and demanding data,” she mentioned.
She added that “Russian state exercise – not Russia itself – stays a risk” and that China was “altering the way in which the world is and that presents wonderful alternatives and threats for the UK”.
The organisation she will likely be operating faces unprecedented and a number of challenges.
Geographically, these emanate primarily from Russia, China, Iran and North Korea, because the 4 nations co-operate ever extra carefully to undermine UK and Western pursuits throughout the globe.
However there are technical challenges too.
MI6’s function is to recruit human brokers to steal secrets and techniques from Britain’s adversaries, which embrace each hostile nations and non-state teams like al-Qaeda.
In an age of fast digital innovation, MI6 is having to pedal ever sooner to remain forward of its enemies and to stay related, when a lot intelligence is now gathered on-line and from area.
Final September, outgoing chief Sir Richard – alongside then-CIA chief William Burns – warned that the worldwide world was “under threat in a way we haven’t seen since the Cold War”.
Writing within the Monetary Occasions, the pair mentioned that past the battle in Ukraine, the 2 international intelligence companies have been persevering with to “work collectively to disrupt the reckless marketing campaign of sabotage throughout Europe being waged by Russian intelligence”.
Sir Richard and Mr Burns added that they noticed the rise of China as the primary intelligence and geopolitical problem of the century. In addition they mentioned that they had pushed “exhausting” for restraint and de-escalation within the Center East.
On Sunday, Sir Richard, who will step down within the autumn after 5 years within the function, mentioned he was “completely delighted” with the “historic appointment” of his colleague.
“Blaise is a extremely completed intelligence officer and chief, and one in every of our foremost thinkers on expertise,” he mentioned.
“I’m excited to welcome her as the primary feminine head of MI6.”
Overseas Secretary David Lammy, to whom Ms Metreweli will likely be accountable as MI6’s new chief, mentioned she was the “best” candidate and would make sure the UK was in a position to sort out the challenges of “world instability and rising safety threats”.
“I’d additionally wish to pay tribute to Sir Richard Moore for his service and management,” he mentioned.
“I’ve labored carefully with him over the previous yr and thank him for his precious contribution enhancing our nationwide safety and defending the British public.”
Sir Keir additionally thanked Sir Richard for his “devoted service”.
“I do know Blaise will proceed to offer the superb management wanted to defend our county and hold our individuals protected,” he added.
Further reporting by Hollie Cole
