On Sunday, June 15th, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that Blaise Metreweli will become the next chief of the United Kingdom’s Secret Intelligence Service, MI6. Her appointment marks the first time a woman will lead the agency in its 116-year history.
Metreweli, 47, is set to replace Sir Richard Moore in the autumn. She currently oversees MI6’s Q division, which is responsible for technology and innovation. Over the course of her career, she has held senior roles in both MI5 and MI6 and completed operational assignments in Europe and the Middle East. In 2024, she was awarded the CMG for her services to British foreign policy.
In response to the appointment, Metreweli said she is proud and honoured to lead the agency, highlighting MI6’s role in safeguarding the UK and promoting its interests globally.
Prime Minister Starmer called the appointment a historic step and noted its importance during a time of global uncertainty. Foreign Secretary David Lammy described Metreweli as the ideal choice to guide the agency through complex security challenges.
Unlike her predecessor, who came from a diplomatic background, Metreweli has worked her entire professional life within the intelligence community. Her leadership is expected to focus on advancing cyber capabilities, improving surveillance countermeasures, and preparing MI6 for evolving technological threats.
As MI6 chief, Metreweli will oversee foreign intelligence operations, serve on the Joint Intelligence Committee, and report directly to the Foreign Secretary. She will also assume the traditional title “C,” the only publicly known position within the agency.
Her appointment is also a milestone for gender representation in British intelligence. While MI5 and GCHQ have had female leaders in the past, MI6 had never appointed a woman to its top position until now. The move aligns with recent institutional reforms and efforts to promote diversity within the UK intelligence community.
With a background in digital strategy and innovation, Metreweli is expected to prioritize emerging areas such as biometric evasion, cyber defense, and open-source intelligence. Her leadership will help shape MI6’s direction in a global environment increasingly defined by technological and geopolitical challenges.
