In a historic move, the UK has named Blaise Metreweli as its first-ever MI6 female chief, marking a major milestone for the country’s intelligence services.
A Groundbreaking Appointment
Metreweli will become the 18th head of MI6, officially known as the Secret Intelligence Service (SIS). She is set to take over this autumn from Richard Moore, the outgoing chief. The UK government said the appointment reflects the growing importance of modern intelligence work in an era of digital warfare and geopolitical tension.
From ‘Q’ to ‘C’
Currently serving as MI6’s Director General of Technology and Innovation — known internally as “Q” — Metreweli will assume the codename “C” as chief, a title traditionally used for MI6 heads. The popular James Bond franchise may call its spy boss “M,” but in real life, “C” is the designation for the top spy.
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Deep Roots in Intelligence
Metreweli began her career in intelligence in 1999 after studying anthropology at Cambridge University. Over the years, she held several senior roles in both MI6 and MI5, focusing heavily on operational assignments in the Middle East and Europe.
Her elevation follows a broader trend of increasing female leadership across the UK’s intelligence community. MI5 appointed its first female head, Stella Rimington, in 1992, while GCHQ named Anne Keast-Butler as its director in 2023.
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