In a historic move on June 15, 2025, the United Kingdom appointed Blaise Metreweli as the first woman to lead its Secret Intelligence Service, commonly known as MI6. This appointment marks a significant milestone in the 116-year history of the British foreign intelligence agency, which has traditionally been led by men. Metreweli, currently the Director General of Technology and Innovation at MI6—referred to within the service as "Q"—will become the agency's 18th chief, succeeding Sir Richard Moore, who is set to step down this autumn after nearly five years at the helm.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer hailed the appointment as "historic," emphasizing the critical role intelligence services play amid what he described as "threats on an unprecedented scale." "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," Starmer said, underscoring the urgency and complexity of the challenges ahead.
Metreweli expressed both pride and honor at being asked to lead MI6, an agency she describes as vital alongside MI5 and GCHQ in safeguarding the British people and promoting the nation's interests overseas. "I look forward to continuing that work alongside the brave officers and agents of MI6 and our many international partners," she said.
Born in 1978, Metreweli joined MI6 in 1999 shortly after graduating from Pembroke College, Cambridge, where she studied social anthropology. Over her more than two-decade career, she has held senior roles across both MI6 and its domestic counterpart, MI5. Much of her operational experience has been garnered in the Middle East and Europe, regions that continue to be focal points for British intelligence operations.
Her current role as "Q" places her in charge of MI6's technology and innovation division, responsible for developing cutting-edge tools to protect the identities of agents and counter sophisticated adversarial surveillance techniques, including China's expanding biometric monitoring capabilities. This position mirrors the fictional "Q branch" popularized by James Bond films, where gadgets and technological advances are crafted for espionage purposes.
Notably, Metreweli was awarded the Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) in 2024 for her services to British foreign policy, a testament to her contributions to national security and diplomacy.
The appointment also breaks a long-standing gender barrier within British intelligence. While MI5 and GCHQ have previously been led by women—Stella Rimington and Eliza Manningham-Buller for MI5, and Anne Keast-Butler for GCHQ—MI6 had never before had a female chief. This historic first comes over three decades after actress Judi Dench famously portrayed a female MI6 head, "M," in the James Bond film series.
Sir Richard Moore, the outgoing chief, lauded Metreweli's appointment, calling her "a highly accomplished intelligence officer and leader, and one of our foremost thinkers on technology." He expressed excitement about her taking the helm at a time when the agency faces unprecedented challenges both geographically and technologically.
Indeed, MI6's operational environment is more complex than ever. The agency contends with threats emanating chiefly from Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea. These nations are increasingly cooperating to undermine UK and Western interests globally. Beyond geopolitical tensions, rapid technological advancements demand that MI6 continually innovate to stay ahead of adversaries who now gather intelligence not only through human agents but also via digital and space-based methods.
In September 2024, Sir Richard Moore and then-CIA Director William Burns jointly warned in the Financial Times that the international community was "under threat in a way we haven't seen since the Cold War." They highlighted ongoing Russian sabotage campaigns across Europe and identified China's rise as the principal intelligence and geopolitical challenge of the century.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy, to whom Metreweli will report, described her as the "ideal" candidate to steer MI6 through this era of global instability and emerging security threats. He paid tribute to Sir Richard Moore's leadership and contributions to enhancing national security.
The role of MI6's chief, known by the codename "C," is unique within the British government. The title originates from Captain Mansfield Cumming, the agency's first head in the early 1900s, who signed correspondence with the letter "C" and famously wrote in green ink—a tradition maintained by every subsequent chief. Contrary to popular belief, "C" does not stand for "Chief." The head of MI6 is the only publicly named member of the service and sits on the Joint Intelligence Committee, advising the Prime Minister and senior officials on intelligence matters.
While the notion of MI6 chiefs granting agents a "licence to kill" is a staple of spy fiction, the reality is more nuanced. Under the Intelligence Services Act 1994, the foreign secretary can authorize MI6 agents to undertake actions that would otherwise be illegal, including the use of lethal force, but only through a complex legal process.
Metreweli's appointment arrives at a time when intelligence agencies must adapt rapidly to new forms of espionage and cyber warfare. The agency's core missions remain to stop terrorism, disrupt hostile state activities, and bolster cybersecurity. Yet the methods and technologies involved are evolving at breakneck speed.
Her leadership will be critical in navigating these challenges, ensuring that MI6 remains a vital instrument of British national security in an increasingly volatile world. As the first woman to hold the post, Metreweli's tenure also symbolizes a broader shift toward greater diversity and inclusion within the UK's intelligence community.
As Britain confronts a complex web of threats—ranging from state-sponsored cyberattacks to geopolitical rivalries—Metreweli's blend of operational experience and technological expertise positions her uniquely to lead MI6 into a new era.
