Blaise Metreweli made history as the first woman appointed chief of MI6, Britain’s Secret Intelligence Service, shattering a 116-year glass ceiling on 16 June 2025.

At 47, her rise to the role of ‘C’ marks a pivotal moment for the agency, renowned for its covert operations and storied legacy.

With a 26-year career spanning high-stakes roles in an intelligence agency, Metreweli brings unparalleled expertise to tackle escalating global threats.

Her multicultural background and technological prowess position her to redefine espionage in a volatile world.

Discover Metreweli’s Impressive Career

Blaise Metreweli joined MI6 in 1999, forging a 26-year career as an intelligence officer.

She serves as Director General ‘Q’, leading the technology and innovation division, critical for countering sophisticated threats like China’s biometric surveillance and Russia’s cyberattacks.

Her tenure includes senior roles across the Middle East, where she tackled counterterrorism, disrupting extremist networks, and a stint as MI5’s director of state threats, navigating complex geopolitical challenges.

Posts on X highlight her as a Cambridge University graduate and a ‘lifer’ in intelligence, reflecting her deep-rooted commitment.

Appointed the 18th MI6 chief, succeeding Sir Richard Moore, Metreweli emerged as the top internal candidate, a choice praised for its merit.

Her leadership in tech-driven espionage equips her to modernise MI6’s approach, ensuring agility in an era of digital warfare and hybrid threats.

Uncover Her Background

Born in 1978, Metreweli is 47 years old as of 16 June 2025. Raised in Hong Kong, her father, Constantine Metreweli, was a distinguished radiologist and former chair of Diagnostic Radiology at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, with training in the British Army and residency in Riyadh from 1982 to 1985, per X posts.

Details about her immediate family, spouse, or children remain scarce, a standard precaution for MI6 operatives whose identities are tightly guarded to ensure safety.

Her upbringing in Hong Kong’s vibrant, multicultural environment, combined with her Cambridge education, fostered a global perspective, aligning with MI6’s mission to address international threats.

This diverse background informs her nuanced approach, blending academic rigour with real-world adaptability essential for global intelligence work.

Understand Her Historic Appointment

Metreweli’s appointment on 16 June 2025 as ‘C’, the only publicly named MI6 member, comes amid ‘unprecedented geopolitical threats’, as noted in X posts.

Her leadership of the ‘Q’ division, likened to the tech-savvy role in James Bond films, positions her to tackle modern espionage challenges, from cyberattacks to advanced surveillance evasion.

Her appointment signals MI6’s push for diversity and innovation, breaking a male-dominated tradition since 1909.

Set to assume the role in autumn 2025, Metreweli faces the daunting task of steering MI6 through a landscape of hybrid warfare, disinformation campaigns, and technological disruption.

Her selection inspires a new generation of intelligence officers, as celebrated across X for smashing the agency’s ‘glass ceiling’.

A New Era for MI6 Begins

Blaise Metreweli’s ascent to MI6 chief is a historic milestone, heralding a new chapter for an agency navigating complex global challenges.

Her 26-year career, rooted in operational expertise and technological innovation, makes her uniquely suited to lead MI6 against evolving threats.

From countering state-sponsored cyberattacks to fostering diversity within the agency, her vision promises to reshape espionage for the 21st century.

Yet, the road ahead is fraught with peril, and staying ahead of adversaries will demand relentless ingenuity and unwavering resolve.

In a historic move, MI6, Britain’s storied Secret Intelligence Service, will be led by a woman for the first time in its 116-year history.

Blaise Metreweli, a 47-year-old intelligence veteran who joined MI6 in 1999, will take the helm as the 18th chief, succeeding Sir Richard Moore later this year.

Known as “C” – a nod to the agency’s first leader, Captain Mansfield Cumming, who famously signed his letters in green ink – Metreweli steps into a role that’s as iconic as it is secretive, becoming the only publicly named member of the clandestine service.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer hailed the appointment as “historic,” emphasising the critical role of intelligence services in an era of global instability. “The work of MI6 has never been more vital,” he said, as the agency grapples with threats from hostile states like Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea, alongside non-state actors like al-Qaeda.

From Cambridge to covert: Metreweli’s journey

Metreweli, a Cambridge-educated anthropologist, brings a wealth of experience to the role. Currently serving as Director General “Q,” she oversees MI6’s technology and innovation division, a crucial arm tasked with outsmarting adversaries’ advanced surveillance systems, such as China’s biometric tracking. Her career spans high-level roles in both MI6 and its domestic counterpart, MI5, with a focus on operations in the Middle East and Europe.

In 2021, speaking to The Telegraph under the pseudonym “Director K,” Metreweli described the diverse threats to UK security, from counter-assassination to protecting sensitive technology and government secrets.

She flagged Russian state activities and China’s global influence as key challenges, noting, “China is changing the world, presenting both opportunities and threats for the UK.”

Her contributions earned her the Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) in the 2024 King’s Birthday Honours List for advancing British foreign policy.

Now, as “C,” she’ll report directly to Foreign Secretary David Lammy and serve on the Joint Intelligence Committee, advising the Prime Minister on global security matters.

The “C” factor: Leading MI6 in a digital age

The role of “C” is steeped in tradition – from the green ink signature to its origins with Captain Cumming in the 1900s – but it’s no relic. MI6’s mission is to gather overseas intelligence to bolster UK security, counter terrorism, disrupt hostile states, and strengthen cybersecurity.

Yet, in an era of rapid digital innovation, the agency faces unprecedented challenges.

Metreweli inherits a world where Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea are increasingly collaborating to undermine Western interests.

Outgoing chief Sir Richard Moore and former CIA director William Burns warned last year in the Financial Times that the global order is “under threat in a way we haven’t seen since the Cold War.” From Russian sabotage in Europe to China’s rise as the century’s defining geopolitical challenge, MI6 must stay ahead of the curve.

The agency’s human spies remain its lifeblood, stealing secrets from adversaries. But with intelligence increasingly gathered online and from space, Metreweli’s tech expertise will be pivotal. Her division has worked to shield agents’ identities and develop cutting-edge tools to evade sophisticated surveillance. “MI6 plays a vital role, alongside MI5 and GCHQ, in keeping the British people safe and promoting UK interests overseas,” she said. “I’m proud and honoured to lead and continue this work with our brave officers and international partners.”

A licence to lead, not to kill

While pop culture might conjure images of “C” handing out “licenses to kill,” the reality is more complex. Under Section 7 of the Intelligence Services Act 1994, the Foreign Secretary can authorise MI6 agents to undertake actions, including lethal force, that would otherwise be illegal – but only through a rigorous legal process.

Metreweli’s job is less about Bond-style theatrics and more about steering a high-stakes chess game against global threats.

Sir Richard Moore, stepping down after five years, called Metreweli a “highly accomplished intelligence officer and leader” and one of MI6’s “foremost thinkers on technology.”

Foreign Secretary Lammy echoed this, dubbing her the “ideal” candidate to navigate “global instability and emerging security threats.”

Both he and Starmer also paid tribute to Moore’s leadership in bolstering national security.

A new era for MI6

Metreweli’s appointment marks a seismic shift for an agency long defined by tradition.

At 47, she brings a blend of intellectual rigor, field experience, and technological savvy to confront a world where espionage is as digital as it is daring.

As she prepares to pick up the green ink pen, the first female “C” is poised to redefine what it means to lead Britain’s spies in an ever-shifting global landscape.

“I look forward to continuing the vital work of MI6 alongside our brave officers and agents,” Metreweli said. With the world watching, her leadership will be tested by adversaries old and new — but if her track record is any indication, she’s ready to outsmart them all.

On June 15, 2025, the prime minister of the United Kingdom (UK) announced Blaise Metreweli as the Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6). She will be the 18th chief in the 116-year history of the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) and the first woman to hold the position. She joined MI6 in 1999.

The Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6), known as “C”, is the head of the UK’s foreign intelligence agency. Their primary role is to lead MI6’s covert overseas intelligence gathering and analysis, protecting national security and promoting British interests abroad.

She currently serves as Director General ‘Q’, leading technology and innovation for MI6. Before this, she held a Director-level position at MI5. She is set to succeed Sir Richard Moore, who will be departing from the Service this autumn.

Who is the First Female Chief of MI Secret Intelligence Service (SIS)?

Source: Financial Times

Blaise Metreweli is set to make history as the first female Chief of the UK’s Secret Intelligence Service (MI6), often referred to as “C”.

Her appointment, announced on June 15, 2025, marks a significant milestone in the 116-year history of the agency. She will succeed Sir Richard Moore in autumn 2025.

A career intelligence officer, Metreweli, 47, joined MI6 in 1999 and has extensive operational experience, particularly in the Middle East and Europe.

She currently serves as Director General ‘Q’, leading technology and innovation within MI6 – a role famously depicted in James Bond films. Before this, she held a Director-level position at MI5, the UK’s domestic security agency.

Metreweli’s background in technology and her long-standing service underscore her suitability to lead MI6 amidst evolving global threats, including cyber warfare and hostile state activities. She is a Cambridge University graduate, having studied Anthropology at Pembroke College.

What Are the Responsibilities of the Chief of MI Secret Intelligence Service (SIS)?

The Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service (SIS), commonly known as MI6 or “C”, holds multifaceted responsibilities crucial to the UK’s national security. Their primary duties include:

Operational Control: The Chief has direct operational responsibility for all MI6 activities, overseeing the covert overseas collection and analysis of human intelligence.

Strategic Direction: They are responsible for setting the strategic direction of the Service, ensuring it adapts to evolving global threats such as terrorism, cyberattacks, hostile state activities, and proliferation.

Accountability: The Chief is directly accountable to the Foreign Secretary and provides an annual report on MI6’s work to both the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary.

Resource Management: They make critical decisions regarding risk, resource allocation, and the adoption of new technologies to enhance MI6’s effectiveness.

Diplomatic Engagement: The role also involves operating as a “secret diplomat”, maintaining vital international alliances for intelligence cooperation and establishing discreet communication channels where traditional diplomacy is challenging.

Advisory Role: The Chief is a key member of the Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC), advising the Prime Minister and cabinet ministers on intelligence assessments and their implications for national security and foreign policy.

Who is the Current Chief of MI Secret Intelligence Service (SIS)?

The current Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) is Sir Richard Moore. He became the 17th Chief of MI6 in October 2020.

However, it has been announced that he will be succeeded by Blaise Metreweli in the autumn of 2025. Therefore, while Sir Richard Moore currently holds the position, a transition is planned for later this year.

The UK government has appointed Blaise Florence Metreweli as the next Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service (SIS), also known as MI6. Metreweli will take up the role, traditionally referred to by the codename “C,” succeeding Sir Richard Moore, who is stepping down after five years in the post.

Metreweli’s appointment marks a historic first for the agency. She will become the first woman to lead MI6 in its 116-year history. Her promotion reflects both her extensive career within British intelligence and a broader shift toward greater diversity and representation at senior levels of the UK’s national security apparatus.

Currently serving as Director General for Technology and Innovation, Metreweli leads SIS’s “Q” directorate, which focuses on equipping MI6 officers with cutting-edge tools and technology, from digital tradecraft to AI. Her leadership in this domain has been widely credited with helping the agency modernize its operational capabilities.

Metreweli joined MI6 in 1999 and has held a variety of roles across the intelligence community, including time with the domestic security service, MI5. She studied anthropology at Pembroke College, Cambridge, and is known internally for her ability to blend deep operational knowledge with strategic thinking.

Sir Richard Moore, who was appointed Chief in October 2020, praised Metreweli’s leadership and commitment. “Blaise is a highly accomplished intelligence officer and leader, and one of our foremost thinkers on technology. I am excited to welcome her as the first female head of MI6,” he said.

The timing of the announcement ensures a planned and stable transition. Moore will continue to lead the agency through the summer, including overseeing ongoing operations and engagements, before formally handing over the role in October.

While MI6 has historically operated in the shadows, recent leaders like Moore have embraced a more open posture, occasionally delivering public speeches and advocating for closer partnerships with the private sector and tech community. Metreweli is expected to continue this approach while bringing her own style to the role.

For the first time in its 116-year history, Britain’s foreign intelligence agency MI6 will be led by a woman. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has named Blaise Metreweli as the 18th chief of the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6), succeeding Sir Richard Moore in autumn 2025.

Metreweli, a veteran intelligence officer, currently serves as Director General for Technology and Innovation, a role often compared to the real-life equivalent of ‘M’ – the head of MI6 in the cult James Bond series.

As chief, she will be known by the codename ‘C’ and will become the only publicly named member of the organisation.

Having spent most of her career in operational roles across the Middle East and Europe, Metreweli brings deep regional expertise to the post.

Her experience in both field operations and emerging technologies is seen as particularly relevant as MI6 adapts to hybrid threats ranging from cyberattacks to geopolitical sabotage, with officials citing Russia, China, and Iran as key adversaries in recent years.

Related TRT Global – UK names first female head of MI6, rewriting rules of spy game

Career and background

Blaise Metreweli began her career in British intelligence after studying anthropology at Pembroke College, Cambridge. She joined the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) in 1999 as a case officer, launching what would become a decades-long trajectory in national security.

Over the years, she has held a range of operational and leadership positions, with much of her fieldwork focused on the Middle East and Europe, regions central to the UK’s foreign intelligence priorities.

In addition to her service at MI6, Metreweli held senior roles at the domestic intelligence agency MI5, where she was known publicly under the pseudonym “Director K.”

Her cross-agency experience, combining frontline operations with strategic leadership, has positioned her as a key figure in the UK’s intelligence landscape.

In recognition of her contributions to British foreign policy, she was appointed a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG ) in 2024, a British honour awarded to individuals who have delivered outstanding non-military service abroad or made significant contributions to foreign and Commonwealth affairs.

Metreweli currently leads the agency’s technology and innovation division, one of its most strategically vital departments.

What is her vision?

The previous work of Metreweli focused on developing advanced tools and systems to protect the identities of field agents and enable operations to remain undetected by increasingly sophisticated surveillance technologies.

A central element of her role involved finding ways to evade threats such as China’s expanding biometric surveillance networks.

Known for balancing traditional human intelligence with technical innovation, Metreweli has played a key role in adapting MI6’s operational capabilities to meet the demands of a rapidly changing digital landscape.

In a rare interview given to the Telegraph in 2021 while serving as MI5’s head of hostile states counterintelligence , Metreweli warned that “in the current world, threats really are diverse,” outlining a national security landscape shaped by state-sponsored espionage, intellectual property theft, and cyber aggression.

She emphasised that MI5 and MI6 must focus on “protecting government, protecting secrets, protecting our people—so counter-assassination—protecting our economy and our sensitive technology and critical knowledge.”

Her leadership is likely to focus on enhancing the UK’s capabilities in cyber defence, preventing targeted state-sponsored attacks, and safeguarding critical technologies and sensitive knowledge assets.

These areas have become central to Britain’s intelligence strategy amid rising global competition and the increasing weaponisation of digital infrastructure.

Starmer, Lammy, and Moore endorse leadership transition

Blaise Metreweli expressed pride in her appointment as Chief of MI6, describing it as an honour to lead the Service at a time of growing international complexity.

“MI6 plays a vital role, with MI5 and GCHQ, in keeping the British people safe and promoting UK interests overseas,” she stated. Committed to advancing that mission, Metreweli highlighted the importance of working closely with MI6’s officers and global partners to navigate today’s evolving threat landscape.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the appointment “historic,” underscoring its significance amid what he described as “threats on an unprecedented scale.” He cited cyberattacks and foreign interference as key challenges facing the UK and expressed full confidence in Metreweli’s ability to lead MI6 through a period of heightened geopolitical tension.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy echoed those sentiments, calling Metreweli “the ideal candidate” to lead MI6 in a time marked by global instability and rapid technological advancement.

Metreweli’s appointment signals more than a historic first, it marks a shift in the strategic direction of Britain’s foreign intelligence service:

How will her background in technology and innovation shape the future direction of MI6? And to what extent will the agency adapt to the growing complexity of hybrid threats?