Blaise Metreweli becomes first woman to lead UK spy agency MI6

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced the "historic" appointment of Blaise Metreweli as the first female chief of the UK's Secret Intelligence Service, commonly known as MI6, in the 116-year history of the organisation.

- PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

Commonly referred to as 'C', the international spy agency's chief has operational responsibility for MI6 and is the only publicly named member of the organisation, accountable to Foreign Secretary David Lammy.

Metreweli, 47, a veteran intelligence officer with 25 years of service, has been promoted from her current role as Director General, or 'Q', responsible for technology and innovation in MI6 and has previously held a director-level role at MI5—the UK's domestic security service.

"The historic appointment of Blaise Metreweli comes at a time when the work of our intelligence services has never been more vital," Starmer said on Sunday. "The United Kingdom is facing threats on an unprecedented scale—be it aggressors who send their spy ships to our waters or hackers whose sophisticated cyber plots seek to disrupt our public services," he said.