Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Keir Starmer Sunday appointed the first-ever female Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6).
Blaise Metreweli qualifies to be the 18th Chief in the organisation’s 116-year-old history and the first woman to lead MI6, “at a time when the United Kingdom faces increased threats from our adversaries,” a government release stated.
Starmer, as per the release, 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.”
The British PM also thanked Sir Richard Moore, who will leave the service this year, for his “dedicated service.” “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,” he said.
Who is Blaise Metrewali?
47-year-old Metrewali is the current Director General ‘Q’, responsible for technology and innovation in MI6, and has previously held a Director-level role in MI5.
A graduate in anthropology from Pembroke College at University of Cambridge, she joined the Secret Intelligence Service in 1999. Metrewali spent most of her career working in the Middle East and Europe.
On the King’s overseas and international birthday honours list in 2024, which recognises people who have given exceptional service to the UK globally, she had received the Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) for her services to British foreign policy, the BBC report stated.
What did Metrewali say?
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According to the press release, Metrewali, on being appointed as the head of MI6 said, “I am proud and honoured to be asked to lead my Service. MI6 plays a vital role – with MI5 and GCHQ – in keeping the British people safe and promoting UK interests overseas.”
“I look forward to continuing that work alongside the brave officers and agents of MI6 and our many international partners.”
What are the responsibilities of the MI6 head?
Referred to as ‘C’, the Chief possesses operational responsibility for MI6, and are accountable to the Foreign Secretary, according to the government release.
‘C’ is also a part of the Joint Intelligence Committee, alongside heads of other departments and senior government officials. It receives intelligence reports, analyses ongoing situations and advises the prime minister, BBC News reported.
What did Sir Richard Moore say?
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The outgoing head of MI6, Sir Richard Moore, expressed his confidence in Metrewali for succeeding him.
“I am absolutely delighted by this historic appointment of my colleague, Blaise Metreweli to succeed me as ‘C’. 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,” the release quoted Moore.
