The Prime Minister has today announced the first female head of the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6).
Blaise Medruweli will become the 18th head of the CMG and the first woman to hold the role, at a time when the UK faces increased threats from our adversaries.
The head, commonly referred to as ‘C’, has operational responsibility for MI6 and is the only public member of the organisation who is accountable to the Foreign Secretary.
She is currently Director General ‘Q’, responsible for technology and innovation at MI6, and previously held a director-level role at MI5. She will succeed Sir Richard Moore, who is leaving the service in the autumn.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer:
Blaise Medruweli’s historic appointment comes at a time when the work of our intelligence services is more important than ever.
The United Kingdom faces threats on an unprecedented scale – whether it’s aggressors sending their spy ships into our waters or hackers with sophisticated cyber plots trying to disrupt our public services.
I would like to thank Sir Richard Moore for his dedicated service and I know that Blaise will continue to provide the excellent leadership needed to protect our country and keep our people safe – this is the foundation of my plan for change.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy said:
I am delighted to appoint Blaise Medruveli as the next head of MI6. With a wealth of experience from across our national security community, Blaise is the ideal candidate to lead MI6 into the future.
At a time of global instability and evolving security threats, where technology is the driving force and our adversaries are increasingly working together, Blaise will ensure that the UK can meet these challenges to keep Britain safe and secure, both at home and abroad.
Every day, our intelligence services work behind the scenes to protect our national security and compete with our adversaries. That’s why I’m proud to be investing an extra £600 million in our intelligence community so that they can continue to protect our way of life.
I would like to pay tribute to Sir Richard Moore for his service and leadership. I have worked closely with him over the past year and I thank him for the valuable contribution he has made to improving our national security and protecting the British public.
Cabinet Secretary Christopher Wormald said:
Blaise Medruweli’s experience and leadership in the intelligence community will help MI6 protect the foundations of our national security and advance our interests abroad. Blaise will be an excellent leader who will embody the values of the service and set a great example for its staff.
I would like to thank Sir Richard Moore for his outstanding leadership of the service over the past five years and for the contribution he has made to UK national security during that time and throughout his long career.
Blaise Metreveli CMG said:
I am honoured and proud to have been asked to lead my service. MI6 – together with MI5 and GCHQ – plays a vital role in keeping the British people safe and promoting UK interests abroad. I look forward to continuing that work alongside the brave officers and agents of MI6 and our many international partners.
Outgoing Chief Sir Richard Moore said:
I am delighted that my colleague Blaise Metreveli has been appointed as my successor as ‘C’. Blaise is a highly capable intelligence officer and leader, and one of our leading thinkers on technology. I am delighted to welcome her as the first female head of MI6.
Biography:
- Blaise Metreveli is Director General for Technology and Innovation at MI6. She previously held director-level positions at MI5.
- She is a career intelligence officer, having joined the service as a case officer in 1999.
-He has held a variety of roles throughout his service. He spent most of his career in operational roles in the Middle East and Europe.
-He studied anthropology at Pembroke College, Cambridge.
