Historic Appointment: MI6 Appoints First Female Chief in Britain’s Spy Agency

LONDON — Q is stepping into the top spy role at MI6, Britain’s foreign intelligence agency. Blaise Metreweli, who was head of technology and innovation, will be the new chief, making her the first woman to hold this position in MI6’s 116-year history.

This change echoes a trend seen in popular culture with characters like Judi Dench’s M in the Bond films. In a statement, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced Metreweli’s promotion, which she described as “proud and honored.”

Metreweli, age 47, replaces Richard Moore, who is retiring. The chief role, known as “C,” is the only publicly identified position in MI6, which operates somewhat like the CIA in the U.S. The agency focuses on gathering intelligence from abroad and maintains a network of spies around the world.

Metreweli has had a solid career in intelligence, starting her service in 1999. Before her recent role, she held director-level positions in MI5, the domestic counterpart of MI6. Her expertise largely covers the Middle East and Europe. In 2021, while with MI5, she expressed concerns about outdated British espionage laws in an interview, predicting a stormy future in international relations, particularly regarding Russia.

As tech head, Metreweli worked on safeguarding the identities of agents worldwide, especially against threats like China’s advanced surveillance tactics. Her appointment comes at a critical time. Experts warn that threats from nations such as Russia, China, and North Korea are at unprecedented levels. Starmer highlighted ongoing issues, from espionage activities in British waters to cyber attacks aimed at public services.

In recent discussions about her new role, Metreweli emphasized the importance of teamwork within MI6 and the agency’s relationships with international partners. As the first female chief, she stands at the forefront of a changing landscape in espionage, with her leadership expected to influence how the UK navigates its intelligence strategies moving forward.

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