London, June 16 (PTI) - In a groundbreaking move, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has declared the appointment of Blaise Metreweli as the first female chief of MI6, officially known as the UK’s Secret Intelligence Service, marking a significant milestone in its 116-year history.
The position of MI6 chief, referred to as ‘C’, carries the operational leadership of the international spy agency and is the sole publicly acknowledged member, accountable to Foreign Secretary David Lammy.
At 47, Metreweli transitions from her role as Director General, or ‘Q’, where she was tasked with overseeing technology and innovation within MI6. Her experience also includes a pivotal director-level stint at MI5, the UK’s domestic security entity.
Prime Minister Starmer, commenting on Sunday, said, “The historic appointment of Blaise Metreweli comes at a time when the work of our intelligence services has never been more vital.”
He further highlighted the challenges, noting, “The United Kingdom is facing threats on an unprecedented scale – be it aggressors who send their spy ships to our waters or hackers whose sophisticated cyber plots seek to disrupt our public services.”
Metreweli is set to take over from Sir Richard Moore, who will step down in the autumn this year.
Starmer expressed gratitude, saying, “I’d like to thank Sir Richard Moore for his dedicated service, and I know Blaise will continue to provide the excellent leadership needed to defend our country and keep our people safe – the foundation of my Plan for Change.”
Metreweli shared her pride and honor, having joined the Security Service in 1999 as a case officer, she now prepares to lead MI6. “MI6 plays a vital role – with MI5 and GCHQ [Government Communications Headquarters] – in keeping the British people safe and promoting UK interests overseas. I look forward to continuing that work alongside the brave officers and agents of MI6 and our many international partners,” she stated.
Educated in Anthropology at Pembroke College, Cambridge University, Metreweli's career predominantly spans operational roles across the Middle East and Europe.
David Lammy, her immediate superior, endorsed her ascension, stating, “With a wealth of experience from across our national security community, Blaise is the ideal candidate to lead MI6 into the future.”
He added, “At a time of global instability and emerging security threats, where technology is power and our adversaries are working ever closer together, Blaise will ensure the UK can tackle these challenges head on to keep Britain safe and secure at home and abroad.”
Lamenting the unseen efforts, Lammy remarked, “Every day, our intelligence services work behind the scenes to protect our national security and compete with our adversaries. That’s why I am proud that we are investing an extra GBP 600 million in our intelligence community so they can continue to defend our way of life.”
Metreweli will be the 18th MI6 chief upon succeeding Moore. The outgoing ‘C’ expressed his delight over his successor, “I am absolutely delighted by this historic appointment of my colleague, Blaise Metreweli to succeed me as ‘C’. Blaise is a highly accomplished intelligence officer and leader, and one of our foremost thinkers on technology. I am excited to welcome her as the first female head of MI6.”
Cabinet Secretary Christopher Wormald emphasized the new chief’s commitment, stating, “Blaise will be an excellent chief, who will embody the values of the Service and act as a fine role model to its staff. I would also like to thank Sir Richard Moore for his excellent leadership of the Service over the past five years and his contribution to UK national security during that time and over his long career.”
The image of MI6 has been famously immortalized through Ian Fleming's James Bond novels and the subsequent Hollywood film franchise, where Dame Judi Dench portrayed 'C', though referred to as ‘M’ in fiction. Metreweli’s prior tech leadership role at the agency finds its fictional counterpart in the character ‘Q’ from the Bond series.
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