The UK’s foreign intelligence service, MI6, will be led by a woman for the first time in its 116-year history, following the appointment of Blaise Metreweli as its next chief.

Metreweli, who joined the agency in 1999, will take over later this year from Richard Moore and becomes the 18th head of the Secret Intelligence Service.

Currently serving as Director General “Q” in charge of technology and innovation, Metreweli said she was “proud and honoured” to be chosen for the role. “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,” she said.

Her appointment has been welcomed by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who called it “historic” and timely, saying, “the work of our intelligence services has never been more vital.”

Foreign Secretary David Lammy described her as the “ideal” candidate for leading MI6 through growing global instability and new security threats.

Metreweli has spent much of her career in the Middle East and Europe and has previously held senior roles in MI5.

She holds a degree in anthropology from the University of Cambridge and received the Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George in 2024 for her services to foreign policy.

Speaking in a 2021 interview while at MI5, she said, “The threats we are looking at primarily exist around protecting government, protecting secrets, protecting our people – so counter-assassination – protecting our economy, sensitive technology and critical knowledge.”

She also noted that “Russian state activity – not Russia itself – remains a threat,” and described China as posing both “amazing opportunities and threats.”

As MI6’s new chief, known by the codename “C,” Metreweli will report to the Foreign Secretary and sit on the Joint Intelligence Committee.

The agency she leads is facing growing pressure from hostile states, including Russia, China, Iran and North Korea, and adapting to challenges in digital and space-based intelligence gathering.

Outgoing chief Richard Moore said he was “absolutely delighted” by the appointment, praising her as “a highly accomplished intelligence officer and leader, and one of our foremost thinkers on technology.”

He will step down this autumn after five years in the role.