London, June 16, 2025 – Britain has made history by naming Blaise Metreweli as the first woman to lead the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6), the country’s renowned foreign spy agency. The 47-year-old career intelligence officer, currently serving as MI6’s head of technology—known by the codename “Q”—will take over as chief this autumn, succeeding Richard Moore after his five-year tenure.
Metreweli, who joined MI6 in 1999, has extensive operational experience in the Middle East and Europe. In her new role, she will adopt the traditional MI6 chief’s designation, “C,” and oversee one of the most influential positions in Western intelligence.
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A Landmark Appointment
Her appointment marks a milestone for British intelligence, with MI6 now joining MI5 (domestic security) and GCHQ (signals intelligence) in being led by a woman. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, attending the G7 summit in Canada, praised Metreweli’s selection, stating that Britain faces “unprecedented threats” and expressing confidence in her ability to provide “excellent leadership.”
Challenges Ahead
Metreweli’s tenure will likely focus on countering rising global threats, particularly from Russia, China, and Iran. British intelligence has accused Moscow of orchestrating sabotage campaigns across Europe to deter support for Ukraine, while China remains a top strategic priority. Iran has also been linked to multiple assassination and kidnapping plots targeting dissidents in the UK.
In a 2021 interview under the pseudonym “Director K,” Metreweli highlighted the “truly diverse” threats to national security, emphasizing risks from state-sponsored espionage, economic warfare, and attacks on critical infrastructure.
A Trailblazer in Intelligence
Before her MI6 role, Metreweli held a director-level position at MI5 and studied anthropology at the University of Cambridge. Her rise mirrors a broader trend in British intelligence—MI5’s first female chief, Stella Rimington, took charge in 1992, while GCHQ appointed its first woman director in 2023.
The historic move comes three decades after Judi Dench famously portrayed a female MI6 chief, “M,” in the James Bond film GoldenEye. Now, fiction has become reality as Metreweli prepares to lead the real-life spies of MI6 into a new era.
