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Blaise Metreweli appointed as first female head of MI6

MI6 set to appoint first female boss

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Blaise Metreweli has been appointed as the first female chief of MI6 in the intelligence service's 116-year history, becoming the 18th person to hold the position commonly referred to as 'C' since the organization's founding in 1909.</span

BBC News

GOV.UK

Blaise Metreweli has been appointed as the first female chief of MI6 in the intelligence service's 116-year history, becoming the 18th person to hold the position commonly referred to as 'C' since the organization's founding in 1909.

Metreweli, 47, currently serves as Director General 'Q' responsible for technology and innovation at MI6 and previously held director-level roles in both MI6 and MI5, having joined the Secret Intelligence Service as a case officer in 1999.</span

The Telegraph

the Guardian

Metreweli, 47, currently serves as Director General 'Q' responsible for technology and innovation at MI6 and previously held director-level roles in both MI6 and MI5, having joined the Secret Intelligence Service as a case officer in 1999.

Metreweli studied anthropology at Pembroke College, Cambridge, and spent most of her career in operational roles in the Middle East and Europe, receiving the Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George honor in 2024.</span

Metreweli studied anthropology at Pembroke College, Cambridge, and spent most of her career in operational roles in the Middle East and Europe, receiving the Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George honor in 2024.

She will succeed Sir Richard Moore, who has served as MI6 chief since October 2020 and will step down in autumn after nearly five years in the role, which typically has a maximum term of five years.</span

She will succeed Sir Richard Moore, who has served as MI6 chief since October 2020 and will step down in autumn after nearly five years in the role, which typically has a maximum term of five years.

The appointment comes as U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer claimed the U.K. faces "threats on an unprecedented scale" from adversaries. Last month, it was reported that the next MI6 boss would be a woman, with U.K. Ambassador to the UN Dame Barbara Woodward and another unnamed female intelligence officer also interviewed.

The Times

The appointment comes as U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer claimed the U.K. faces "threats on an unprecedented scale" from adversaries. Last month, it was reported that the next MI6 boss would be a woman, with U.K. Ambassador to the UN Dame Barbara Woodward and another unnamed female intelligence officer also interviewed.

The head of MI6 is the only member of the service's staff to be publicly named, reporting directly to the U.K. Foreign Secretary. MI6 is responsible for overseas intelligence collection, in contrast to MI5's focus on national security.

The head of MI6 is the only member of the service's staff to be publicly named, reporting directly to the U.K. Foreign Secretary. MI6 is responsible for overseas intelligence collection, in contrast to MI5's focus on national security.

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The Telegraph #

GOV.UK #

The appointment comes at a time when Prime Minister Keir Starmer says the UK faces "threats on an unprecedented scale" from adversaries including spy ships in British waters and sophisticated cyber attacks targeting public services.</span

GB News

GB News #

The appointment comes at a time when Prime Minister Keir Starmer says the UK faces "threats on an unprecedented scale" from adversaries including spy ships in British waters and sophisticated cyber attacks targeting public services.

BBC News #

the Guardian #3353

The appointment draws comparisons to fictional MI6 chief 'M' portrayed by Dame Judi Dench in James Bond films, with Metreweli becoming the only publicly named member of the organization and reporting directly to Foreign Secretary David Lammy.</span

The appointment draws comparisons to fictional MI6 chief 'M' portrayed by Dame Judi Dench in James Bond films, with Metreweli becoming the only publicly named member of the organization and reporting directly to Foreign Secretary David Lammy.

The selection process appears to have been influenced by political considerations rather than purely merit-based criteria, with reports suggesting Metreweli's rival Dame Barbara Woodward faced criticism for being "too soft on China" during her tenure as ambassador to Beijing. This "Beijing Barbara" campaign raises questions about whether the appointment was driven by the current government's desire to take a harder stance against China, particularly given concerns about Lord Mandelson's pro-China views as the new US ambassador.

The selection process appears to have been influenced by political considerations rather than purely merit-based criteria, with reports suggesting Metreweli's rival Dame Barbara Woodward faced criticism for being "too soft on China" during her tenure as ambassador to Beijing. This "Beijing Barbara" campaign raises questions about whether the appointment was driven by the current government's desire to take a harder stance against China, particularly given concerns about Lord Mandelson's pro-China views as the new US ambassador.

Daily Mirror

Daily Mirror #

MI6 appoints Blaise Metreweli as first ever female chief 'C' to lead secret service

MI6 gadget chief becomes first female spymaster

MI6 Names First Female Chief in 116-Year History

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Metreweli’s appointment as the first female head of MI6 is a historic and welcome step. With deep experience in both MI6 and MI5, and a sharp focus on innovation, she’s the right leader for a world of digital threats and global instability. Her leadership proves that diversity in intelligence is not merely affirmative action but rather a vital asset in defending British interests.

Metreweli’s appointment as the first female head of MI6 is a historic and welcome step. With deep experience in both MI6 and MI5, and a sharp focus on innovation, she’s the right leader for a world of digital threats and global instability. Her leadership proves that diversity in intelligence is not merely affirmative action but rather a vital asset in defending British interests.

First ever female MI6 chief appointed

A woman at the top is just what MI6 needs

It’s disappointing that Dame Barbara Woodward was overlooked for the role of C following unjust media accusations over links to China. Her calm strength, strategic clarity, and diplomatic integrity made her the natural choice. Rejecting her in favour of safer optics is a missed chance for principled, experienced leadership at a critical moment for U.K. intelligence and security.

It’s disappointing that Dame Barbara Woodward was overlooked for the role of C following unjust media accusations over links to China. Her calm strength, strategic clarity, and diplomatic integrity made her the natural choice. Rejecting her in favour of safer optics is a missed chance for principled, experienced leadership at a critical moment for U.K. intelligence and security.

Observer (NY)

Barbara Woodward  the potential new head of MI6

EdwardIV63

There is a 74% chance that either the U.K. or France will veto a UN Security Council resolution before 2051, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

There is a 74% chance that either the U.K. or France will veto a UN Security Council resolution before 2051, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Blaise Metreweli Becomes First Female MI6 Chief in 116-Year History

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