Britain’s foreign intelligence agency MI6 has named Blaise Metreweli as its next chief, making her the first woman to lead the storied organisation since its inception in 1909. The announcement was made by Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Sunday as he arrived in Alberta, Canada, for the G7 summit.
Metreweli, 47, is currently MI6’s director of technology and innovation and will formally assume the role this fall, succeeding outgoing chief Richard Moore. She is the only MI6 official whose name is publicly known, and will be referred to by the agency’s traditional title for its chief – “C”.
Describing her appointment as an honour, Metreweli said, “I am proud and honored to be asked to lead my Service.”
Prime Minister Starmer called the appointment “historic,” adding that it comes at a time when “the work of our intelligence services has never been more vital.” He pointed to the growing threats posed by state actors such as China and Russia, cyberattacks targeting public infrastructure, and continued terrorist risks.
Metreweli joins the top ranks of British intelligence leadership at a time of growing complexity in global security. She brings deep experience in both traditional espionage and emerging technologies, having served MI6 for over 25 years. A Cambridge University graduate in anthropology and a former member of the women’s rowing team, she represents a new face of British intelligence leadership—modern, diverse, and tech-savvy.
Her appointment follows a broader trend of gender inclusion in UK intelligence. MI5 was previously headed by women including Stella Rimington and Eliza Manningham-Buller, while Anne Keast-Butler became the director of GCHQ in 2023.
Outgoing MI6 chief Richard Moore, who has served since 2020, had previously advocated for greater female representation in intelligence leadership. In a 2023 post, he expressed hope that he would be “the last C selected from an all-male shortlist.”
Metreweli’s selection was the result of a confidential recruitment process launched earlier this year, involving candidates from across the intelligence, diplomatic, and security sectors. In the end, MI6 chose an internal candidate with deep institutional knowledge and forward-looking capabilities.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy said Metreweli’s leadership will help Britain confront an era defined by hybrid warfare, cyber threats, and geopolitical volatility. “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 U.K. can tackle these challenges head on,” he said.
