The appointment of Blaise Metreweli as chief of MI6 marks a historic milestone for the security sector, with the organisation now led by a woman for the first time in its 116-year history. Having joined the Secret Intelligence Service in 1999, Metreweli will become its 18th chief later this year, taking over from Sir Richard Moore. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the appointment as historic at a time when the work of intelligence services has never been more vital, underscoring the significance of women assuming leadership at the very highest levels of national and international security.

Prior to her appointment, Metreweli served as Director General “Q”, leading MI6’s technology and innovation division, a role central to protecting agent identities and countering evolving threats such as biometric surveillance. Her career has spanned senior roles in both MI6 and MI5, with extensive experience in the Middle East and Europe, and she was awarded the Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George in 2024 for services to British foreign policy. Her progression to the top of the UK’s foreign intelligence service reflects a broader, though still hard-won, shift towards recognising women’s expertise and authority within traditionally male-dominated security institutions.

During a speech in December 2025 at the MI6 headquarters, Metreweli stressed the importance of transparency, stating: "I’ve also heard that people want to believe in MI6. It’s my job to make sure they can."

As head of MI6, Metreweli leads an organisation facing unprecedented geopolitical and technological challenges, including threats linked to Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea, alongside rapid digital transformation in intelligence gathering. Recognising these challenges, Metreweli stated: "In this space between peace and war, MI6 will no longer limit itself to understanding its adversaries." Rather, the service will actively act against them: "We will strengthen our advantage and impact boldly, drawing - if you will - on our historical instincts of the SOE type."

Her appointment carries symbolic and practical importance, signalling that women are shaping strategic, operational, and technological decision-making at the core of the security services. This historic moment reinforces the message that inclusive leadership is not only a matter of representation, but a critical component of effective, credible, and resilient security institutions.

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