Additional Coverage:
London — In a historic first, Britain’s MI6 spy agency has appointed its first female chief, Blaise Metreweli. Metreweli, the current head of technology and innovation (the real-life “Q”), will step into the top job, codenamed “C,” this fall. This mirrors the fictional world of James Bond, where Judi Dench famously portrayed “M,” the head of MI6.
The appointment was announced late Sunday by Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Metreweli, 47, expressed her pride and honor at being selected. She will succeed the retiring Richard Moore.
“C” is the only publicly known position within the secretive agency, which is tasked with overseas intelligence gathering, similar to the American CIA. Metreweli stated she looks forward to continuing this crucial work alongside MI6 agents and international partners.
A career intelligence officer, Metreweli joined government service in 1999. Her extensive experience includes director-level positions at MI5, MI6’s domestic counterpart, with a focus on the Middle East and Europe. In 2021, while at MI5, she gave an anonymous interview (as “Director K”) warning of outdated espionage laws and comparing Putin’s Russia to an “unpredictable storm.”
As “Q,” Metreweli was responsible for protecting the identities of British spies worldwide and developing innovative methods to counter adversaries, including China’s biometric surveillance program.
She assumes leadership at a time of significant global challenges, including threats from Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, and non-state actors like the Houthis and al-Qaeda. Prime Minister Starmer acknowledged these unprecedented threats, citing everything from spy ships in British waters to sophisticated cyberattacks.