An impactful way to accelerate action sees first ever female MI6 chief appointed - Blaise Metreweli

The first ever female Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) has been announced by Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

It is the first time that MI6 will be led by a woman in the foreign intelligence service's history, since it was founded in 1909. Unlike its sister UK spy agencies, MI5 has previously been led by women Stella Rimington and Eliza Manningham-Buller, while GCHQ's first female leader  is the current head is Anne Keast-Butler.

As the first woman to hold the role, Blaise Metreweli CMG will be the 18th Chief in MI6's history.

Commonly referred to as ‘C’, the Chief has operational responsibility for MI6, and is the only publicly named member of the organisation. They are accountable to the Foreign Secretary.

Blaise has been working as Director General ‘Q’, responsible for technology and innovation in MI6, and has previously held a Director-level role in MI5.

She succeeds Sir Richard Moore, who was the first member of MI6 to openly use X, formerly Twitter, and suggested that a female candidate could replace him via his International Women's Day post. "We have yet to have a woman as chief so there's still a glass ceiling to shatter. #AccelerateAction," he wrote.

The historic appointment of Blaise Metreweli comes at a time when the work of the UK's intelligence services has never been more vital.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy said: "I am delighted to appoint Blaise Metreweli as the next Chief of MI6. With a wealth of experience from across our national security community, Blaise is the ideal candidate to lead MI6 into the future..."

Cabinet Secretary Christopher Wormald said: "Blaise Metreweli’s experience and leadership in the intelligence community will help MI6 protect the foundation of our national security and project our interests overseas. Blaise will be an excellent Chief, who will embody the values of the Service and act as a fine role model to its staff..."

Blaise Metreweli CMG said: "I am proud and honoured to be asked to lead my Service. MI6 plays a vital role - with MI5 and GCHQ - 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."

The outgoing Chief, Sir Richard Moore, said: "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."

Blaise Metreweli is a career intelligence officer, having joined the Service as a case officer in 1999. She has undertaken a range of roles across the Service. She has spent most of her career in operational roles in the Middle East and Europe. She studied Anthropology at Pembroke College at the University of Cambridge.