For the first time in the 116-year history of the British Secret Intelligence Service “MI6“, a woman is taking the helm. That woman is Blaze Metrowell, who joined the service in 1999, set to become the 18th head of the organization and will take over from Sir Richard Moore later this year. Currently, Blaze Metrowell is responsible for technology and innovation within the “MI6” service and in a recent statement said she feels proud and honored to be asked to lead. Indeed, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called the appointment “historic” at a time “when the work of our intelligence services has never been more vital.”
It’s worth noting that MI6’s mission is to gather intelligence abroad to improve UK security, with key objectives including combating terrorism, preventing hostile state activities, and strengthening cybersecurity. The head, usually referred to as “C,” is the only publicly named member of the service.
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Blaze Metrowell: First woman to head “MI6” – “I look forward to continuing this work”
Currently, 47-year-old Blaze Metrowell serves as Director General “Q” – head of the critical technology and innovation department that aims to keep secret agents’ identities hidden and find new ways to evade adversaries like China’s biometric surveillance.
“MI6 plays a vital role – alongside MI5 and GCHQ – in keeping the British people safe and advancing UK interests overseas,” Metrowell states. “I look forward to continuing this work alongside MI6’s brave officers and agents and our many international partners”. Indeed, Metrowell studied anthropology at Cambridge University, previously held senior positions at MI5 – MI6’s sister domestic security service – and spent most of her career working in the Middle East and Europe. In the King’s Birthday Honours list for 2024, she received the Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) for her services to British foreign policy.
Speaking to the Telegraph in December 2021, when working at MI5 under the pseudonym “Director K,” Ms Metrowell said that threats to UK national security “are really varied.” “The threats we examine primarily concern protecting government, protecting secrets, protecting our people – meaning preventing assassinations – protecting our economy, sensitive technology and critical knowledge,” she said. She added that “Russian state activity – not Russia itself – remains a threat” and that China “is changing how the world operates and this presents remarkable opportunities and threats for the UK.”
Keir Starmer on Metrowell appointment: “The work of our intelligence services has never been more vital”
Regarding Blaze Metrowell’s appointment, Keir Starmer stated: “The historic appointment of Blaze Metrowell comes at a time when the work of our intelligence services has never been more vital. The UK faces threats on an unprecedented scale, whether from attackers sending their spy ships into our territorial waters or hackers whose sophisticated cyber-schemes seek to disrupt our public services”
“MI6” has never had a female head
Unlike its sister British spy services, MI6 has never had a female head since its founding in 1909. MI5 has previously been led by Stella Rimington and Eliza Manningham-Buller, and the current head of GCHQ is Anne Keast-Butler, its first female director.
Moore’s tenure was due to end soon. He has served nearly five years in the position, which he assumed in September 2020. Five years is considered the maximum tenure for British spy chiefs, who typically move to consultancy services and the private sector.
A former diplomat, Moore spent nearly four years as ambassador to Turkey, where he forged a strong relationship with the country’s president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. During his tenure, MI6 was involved in a series of international crises. The service provided, among other things, a series of warnings, both public and private, about Vladimir Putin’s intention to invade Ukraine, ahead of the full invasion in February 2022.
