MI6 will probably be led by a girl for the primary time within the overseas intelligence service’s 116-year historical past.
Blaise Metreweli, who joined the Secret Intelligence Service in 1999, will develop into the 18th chief of the organisation and take over from Sir Richard Moore later this yr.
She is at present chargeable for expertise and innovation on the service and mentioned she was “proud and honoured” to have been requested to steer.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer referred to as the appointment “historic” at a time “when the work of our intelligence providers 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 present Director Common “Q” – head of the essential expertise and innovation division that goals to maintain the identities of secret brokers secret, and provide you with new methods to evade adversaries like China’s biometric surveillance.
“MI6 performs an important position – with MI5 and GCHQ – in maintaining the British individuals protected and selling UK pursuits abroad,” she mentioned.
“I look ahead to 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 providers to British overseas coverage.
Speaking to the Telegraph in December 2021 when she was at MI5, below the pseudonym of “Director Okay”, Ms Metreweli mentioned threats to UK nationwide safety “actually are various”.
“The threats we’re taking a look at primarily exist round defending authorities, defending secrets and techniques, defending our individuals – so counter-assassination – defending our financial system, delicate expertise and important information,” she mentioned.
She added that “Russian state exercise – not Russia itself – stays a menace” and that China was “altering the best way the world is and that presents superb alternatives and threats for the UK”.
The organisation she will probably 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 intently to undermine UK and Western pursuits throughout the globe.
However there are technical challenges too.
MI6’s position is to recruit human brokers to steal secrets and techniques from Britain’s adversaries, which embody 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 conflict in Ukraine, the 2 overseas intelligence providers 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 they’d pushed “laborious” 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 position, 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 probably be accountable as MI6’s new chief, mentioned she was the “very 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 prefer to pay tribute to Sir Richard Moore for his service and management,” he mentioned.
“I’ve labored intently with him over the previous yr and thank him for his priceless 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 wonderful management wanted to defend our county and maintain our individuals protected,” he added.
Extra reporting by Hollie Cole
