The UK has appointed Blaise Metreweli as the first woman to lead MI6, its Secret Intelligence Service, in a landmark decision announced by Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Metreweli, a career intelligence officer, will take charge this autumn, succeeding Richard Moore. Her appointment comes at a critical time, with Starmer warning of “unprecedented threats,” including foreign espionage and cyberattacks targeting national infrastructure.
Metreweli, who studied anthropology at Cambridge University, joined MI6 in 1999 and has held key operational roles across the Middle East and Europe. Most recently, she served as Director General of Technology and Innovation—MI6’s equivalent of “Q” in the James Bond series. Unlike the fictional “M,” the real-world MI6 chief is referred to as “C” and reports directly to the Foreign Secretary.
Her appointment follows MI5 and GCHQ, which previously appointed female leaders—Stella Rimington (1992–1996) and Anne Keast-Butler (2023), respectively. Metreweli’s rise highlights the evolving role of women in intelligence, traditionally a male-dominated field. The government praised her expertise in countering modern threats, from cyber warfare to geopolitical aggression.
As global tensions rise, Metreweli’s leadership will be pivotal in safeguarding UK interests. The decision underscores the growing importance of innovation in intelligence work, particularly in countering sophisticated adversaries. With her extensive field experience and technical acumen, she is poised to steer MI6 through an era of complex security challenges.