Blaise Metreweli appointed as first female head of MI6
IndependentJUN 15
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.
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.
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.