On Sunday, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer appointed intelligence official Blaise Metreweli as the new director of the British Secret Intelligence Service, known as MI6, making her the first woman to lead an intelligence agency in British history.
At 47 years old, Metreweli currently serves as the Chief of Technology and Innovation at MI6, with the code name “Q.” She joined the Secret Intelligence Service in 1999, and has spent most of her professional career serving in the Middle East and Europe.
Metreweli has previously held senior positions at MI5 and studied anthropology at Pembroke College, Cambridge University.
In a statement, Metreweli expressed her honor and pride at being appointed to lead the intelligence agency, stating, “MI6, MI5, and GCHQ play important roles in safeguarding the security of the British people and promoting British interests overseas. I look forward to working alongside the brave officers of MI6 and our international partners to continue advancing this mission.”
The code name for the MI6 Director is “C,” responsible for the agency’s operations and is the only member whose identity is publicly known. The Director reports administratively to the British Foreign Secretary and is required to provide regular updates on the agency’s work progress.
Current Director Sir Richard Moore will step down in the fall, with Metreweli set to become the 18th director of MI6 and the first female director.
Prime Minister Starmer emphasized the vital importance of intelligence work in the face of unprecedented security threats. He expressed gratitude for Moore’s service and expressed confidence in Metreweli’s ability to lead MI6, safeguard national security, and drive the “change agenda.”
Starmer stated, “Britain is facing unprecedented threats – whether it’s aggressors entering our waters or sophisticated hackers attempting to disrupt public services, their online conspiracies are endless.”
Foreign Secretary David Lammy highlighted that in an era of global turbulence and intertwined new threats, technology is power, with the government investing an additional £600 million to enhance the intelligence sector.
Traditionally, the Director of MI6 uses the code name “C,” traced back to the first Director of the agency, Mansfield Cumming, whose surname initial was “C.” He used green ink to sign documents with a “C,” and this tradition continues to this day.
Therefore, regardless of who becomes the Director of MI6, their official code name will be “C,” symbolizing the continuity and mystery of the position. This practice reflects a ceremony and tradition in the world of intelligence.