Executive Summary

Blaise Metreweli’s appointment as the 18th Chief of MI6, commonly known as “C,” marks a historic milestone as she becomes the first woman to hold this role in the organisation’s 116-year history. This significant moment reflects the increasing representation of women in top leadership positions within the United Kingdom’s intelligence community. GCHQ is currently led by Anne Keast-Butler, while MI5 has previously had two Directors General: Stella Rimington and Eliza Manningham-Buller. 

Metreweli’s selection comes at a critical juncture, however. The UK is facing global instability and emerging security threats on an unprecedented scale, rendering the work of intelligence services more important than ever. 

Outgoing Chief Sir Richard Moore described Metreweli as a “highly accomplished intelligence officer and leader, and one of [the] foremost thinkers on technology.” Moore adds that this positions her as exceptionally well-qualified to lead MI6 into the future. Her appointment is widely viewed as a merit-based decision, emerging as the strongest internal candidate. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Foreign Secretary David Lammy have both praised her appointment as “historic” and particularly well-suited to meet the complex challenges of the current global landscape. 

Profile

Professional Path:

Metreweli joined the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) in 1999 as a case officer, marking the start of her 26-year career in intelligence. Currently, Metreweli serves as Director General “Q,” leading the technology and innovation division within MI6. Metreweli has held previous director-level positions at MI5, MI6’s sister domestic security agency. Most notably, in her capacity as “Director K” in December 2021. Much of her career has been dedicated to operational roles across the Middle East and Europe. Here, she focussed on counterterrorism and disrupting extremist networks. Unlike the outgoing chief, Sir Richard Moore, Metreweli has spent her entire career as an intelligence officer, not as a diplomat. [source][source][source]

Education:

Metreweli attended Westminster School in London and graduated on 26 June 1998 from the University of Cambridge. Here, she studied Anthropology at Pembroke College. She matriculated in 1995 and represented the Women’s Blue Boat in the Boat Race in 1997. [source]

Standout Attributes and Personality:

Metreweli is described as a highly accomplished intelligence officer and leader with particular expertise in the field of technology. In her own words, Metreweli has described herself as a “geek.” Her multicultural background and upbringing in Hong Kong, as well as her technological proficiency, are seen as key assets for redefining espionage in the modern era. She also speaks excellent Arabic. Metreweli’s appointment is expected to inspire a new generation of intelligence officers, particularly for women in the field. [source][source][source]

Awards and Honors:

In 2024, the UK Government awarded Metreweli the Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) for her services to British foreign policy. [source]

Age:

Born 18 June 1978, Blaise Metreweli is currently 47 years old.

Hobbies/Pastimes:

A keen rower during her time at Cambridge, Metreweli rowed in the winning 1997 Women’s Blue Boat. Blaise later represented Cambridge in the 2024 and 2025 Women’s Veterans’ Boat Race. [source]

Metreweli was the Women’s Captain of Pembroke College Boat Club in 1997-1998. She rowed in the first-ever Pembroke women’s boat to achieve the Headship of the May Bumps in 1997, retaining it the following year. [source]

Family/Background:

Unlike most Chiefs of MI6, Metreweli was born and raised abroad, in Hong Kong. Her father, Constantine Metreweli, was a distinguished radiologist and former chair of Diagnostic Radiology at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, with British Army training and residency in Riyadh from 1982 to 1985. [source]

Details regarding her immediate family, spouse, or children are, however, intentionally kept private as a standard security precaution for MI6 operatives. According to an interview, as a child, Metreweli was fascinated by a children’s literature work on spycraft (produced by Usborne) kept by her brother. Allegedly, she also experimented with dead drops with her friends. [source][source]