Blaise Metreweli appointed as first feminine head of MI6 | EUROtoday

Sir Keir Starmer has appointed the primary ever feminine head of Britain’s Secret Intelligence Service, MI6.

Blaise Metreweli, the present head of know-how and innovation at MI6, is being promoted to its 18th chief and the primary lady to carry the function because the UK faces rising threats from overseas adversaries.

The head of MI6 is often known as C and is the one publicly named member of the organisation. Ms Metreweli, a veteran of the organisation and its home counterpart MI5, was awarded a CMG for companies to British Foreign Policy final 12 months.

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She is succeeding Sir Richard Moore, who leaves this autumn after 4 years in cost.

“I’m proud and honoured to be requested to steer my Service. MI6 performs a significant function – with MI5 and GCHQ – in retaining the British folks secure and selling UK pursuits abroad,” she mentioned.

She added: “I look forward to continuing that work alongside the brave officers and agents of MI6 and our many international partners.”

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Announcing her appointment, Sir Keir said: “The historic appointment of Blaise Metreweli comes at a time when the work of our intelligence services has never been more vital.

“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.

“I’d like to thank Sir Richard Moore for his dedicated service, and I know Blaise will continue to provide the excellent leadership needed to defend our county and keep our people safe – the foundation of my Plan for Change.”

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Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who Ms Metreweli will report back to, mentioned she takes up the function “at a time of global instability and emerging security threats, where technology is power and our adversaries are working ever closer together”. “Blaise will ensure the UK can tackle these challenges head-on to keep Britain safe and secure at home and abroad,” he added.

Ms Metreweli is director normal of know-how and innovation in MI6, a task by which she is named Q. She has held different senior roles throughout the organisation and MI5.

Ms Metreweli is a profession intelligence officer, having joined the key intelligence service in 1999, shortly after graduating from Pembroke College, Cambridge. Most of her profession has been spent in operational roles within the Middle East and Europe.

Outgoing chief Sir Richard Moore mentioned: “I am absolutely delighted by this historic appointment of my colleague.

“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.”