Blaise Metreweli Becomes MI6's First Female Chief in Historic Appointment

In a major shift for the UK's intelligence community, Blaise Metreweli's appointment as MI6's chief reflects both legacy and progress in a traditionally male-dominated sphere.

Blaise Metreweli has been appointed as the new chief of MI6, making history as the first woman to head the agency in its 116-year existence. The announcement came on a Sunday, as Prime Minister Keir Starmer was traveling to a G7 summit in Canada. Metreweli, a career spy, previously held the position of director general of technology and innovation—a role often referred to as "Q," echoing the fictional character in the James Bond series. Her appointment signifies a momentous milestone for an agency where she has invested over three decades of service.

Metreweli’s successor, Richard Moore, known for his more public-facing role, will pass the reins to a figure who has maintained a significantly lower profile throughout her career, primarily focused on intelligence gathering and operational roles across the Middle East and Europe. Educated in anthropology at Cambridge, she joined MI6 in 1999, gradually taking on key responsibilities that positioned her for this notable advancement.

Prime Minister Starmer characterized Metreweli’s appointment as a pivotal moment for the intelligence landscape, emphasizing the weight of her new responsibilities amid evolving global security challenges. The MI6 chief position, traditionally marked by an air of secrecy and public anonymity—historically denoted with the letter "C" since the early 1900s—now enters a new era with the leadership of Metreweli, who aims to navigate the complexities of modern espionage while breaking gender barriers in the agency.