UK Intelligence Makes History with Blaise Metreweli as MI6 Chief

Uk Intelligence Makes History With Blaise Metreweli As Mi6 Chief

Blaise Metreweli has been named the new head of MI6, making her the first woman ever to take the top job at Britain’s Secret Intelligence Service. The announcement, made on Saturday by the UK government, is already being called historic — and for good reason.

Metreweli will replace Sir Richard Moore this autumn and officially become “C,” the traditional codename for the head of MI6. That title has been passed from man to man since 1909 — until now.

Metreweli isn’t just a milestone appointment — she’s also a modern-day spy chief built for the digital age. Currently the Director-General of Technology and Innovation at MI6 (nicknamed “Q” in spy circles), she’s been leading the agency’s push into cyber, AI, and emerging tech.

She’s described by insiders as both “brilliant” and “battle-tested,” with deep experience running operations in both Europe and the Middle East. According to The Guardian, she joined the intelligence world in 1999 and has worked across both MI6 and MI5.

The UK Foreign Office, which oversees MI6, said Metreweli has been chosen for her “proven leadership” and “sharp strategic mind” — not just her gender. Still, the symbolism here is impossible to miss.

Even Sir Richard Moore, the outgoing chief, was cheering the news: “She’s one of the most talented officers I’ve worked with,” he told The Times, adding that she’s “visionary, resilient, and totally committed.”

Prime Minister Keir Starmer also weighed in, calling her appointment a “landmark moment” and praising her as someone who “truly understands the threats Britain faces in the 21st century.”

It’s worth noting MI5 and GCHQ, the UK’s other major intelligence agencies, have both had female chiefs in the past. But MI6 had been the last holdout in the boys’ club — until Metreweli smashed through it like a spy thriller plot twist.

She steps into the role at a time when global tensions are high, disinformation is everywhere, and cyber threats are growing more complex by the day. But those who know her say she’s more than ready.

“She’s got brains, guts, and vision,” one former colleague told BBC News. “And honestly? About time.”

No word yet on whether she prefers shaken or stirred — but let’s be honest, this isn’t about Bond. This is about real intelligence leadership in an unpredictable world.