Blaise Metreweli CMG (born 1977 or 1978) is a British civil servant. She is director general of technology and innovation in MI6, scheduled to take over as Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service (“C”) on 1 October 2025, following the retirement of Sir Richard Moore from the Secret Intelligence Service. Upon assuming office she will be the first woman to assume the role.
A veteran intelligence officer and current director of technology and innovation at MI6, Blaise Metreweli will succeed Richard Moore. Blaise Metreweli has been appointed as the new chief of MI6, becoming the first woman to lead Britain’s foreign intelligence service since it was founded in 1909.
Blaise Metreweli
A veteran intelligence officer and current director of technology and innovation at MI6, she will take over in the autumn from Richard Moore, who has held the post for five years. Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed the historic appointment on Sunday, calling it “an important moment” for the country’s national security leadership. Read: Jalen Williams Biography
Blaise Metreweli Biography 2025 Quick Info
Attribute | Details |
Full Name | Blaise Florence Metreweli |
Current Role (June 2025) | Director General Technology and Innovation, MI6 (“Q”) |
Appointed As | Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service (“C”) |
Term Begins | 1 October 2025 |
Predecessor | Sir Richard Moore |
Historical Significance | First female Chief of MI6 in 116 years |
Education | Pembroke College, Cambridge (Anthropology) |
Nationality | British |
Ancestry | Georgian |
Year Joined MI6 | 1999 |
Honors | Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) |
Who Is Blaise Metreweli?
A 47-year-old career intelligence officer, Metreweli currently serves as MI6’s director of technology and innovation, a real-world equivalent to the fictional gadget wizard ‘Q’ in James Bond films. Her 25-year tenure in the shadows of British espionage will now be matched by the rare distinction of becoming the only publicly named MI6 officer, known simply as “C”.
Educated at Cambridge University, where she studied anthropology and rowed competitively, Metreweli’s ascent reflects both her technical acumen and deep operational experience. She is expected to steer the agency through increasingly complex threats, including those posed by Russia, China, and state-backed cyber-attacks.
The appointment comes as the UK grapples with a shifting global order. “The United Kingdom is facing threats on an unprecedented scale,” Starmer said, pointing to hostile spy ships, cyber disruptions, and escalating geopolitical tensions. Foreign Secretary David Lammy added, “At a time of global instability and emerging security threats… Blaise will ensure the UK can tackle these challenges head on.”
Metreweli’s selection also marks a significant cultural moment within the intelligence community. MI6 has increasingly prioritised diversity, moving away from the elite, Oxbridge-only pipeline that long defined it. Her predecessor, Richard Moore, had voiced hope that his successor would break the agency’s gender barrier, writing in 2023 that he would “help forge women’s equality by working to ensure I’m the last C selected from an all-male shortlist.”
Why in News?
On June 15, 2025, Prime Minister Keir Starmer, during his visit to Canada for the G7 summit, publicly announced the appointment of Blaise Metreweli as the new MI6 Chief. This marks the first time in MI6’s 116-year history that a woman has been appointed to the top post. The announcement comes at a time when cyber threats, foreign espionage, and geopolitical tensions with nations like Russia and China are rising.
About Blaise Metreweli
- Age: 47
- Current Role: Director of Technology and Innovation, MI6
- Education: Anthropology degree from Cambridge University; member of the women’s rowing team
- Experience: 25 years in intelligence service, with deep expertise in technology and cyber operations
Role & Responsibilities as MI6 Chief
- Lead the UK’s foreign intelligence operations
- Address rising threats including cyber warfare, espionage, terrorism, and disinformation campaigns
- Strengthen MI6’s digital transformation, innovation, and operational readiness
Significance of Her Appointment
- First woman to head MI6 (also known as the Secret Intelligence Service)
- Breaks the glass ceiling in Britain’s spy agencies (MI5, GCHQ already had female heads)
- Demonstrates a shift towards a more inclusive, merit-based recruitment in intelligence roles
Contextual Background
- The previous MI6 Chief, Richard Moore, served from 2020 to 2025
- Moore actively supported diversity in MI6 and called for an end to all-male shortlists
- Metreweli was chosen through a secretive internal selection process initiated in March 2025
- She will officially assume office in autumn 2025
Ancestry and Academic Background
Blaise Florence Metreweli is of Georgian descent, with her surname “Metreweli” being a Germanic transcription of the Georgian family name “Metreveli.” She pursued Anthropology at Pembroke College, Cambridge, where she also showcased athletic prowess—being part of the victorious crew in the 1997 Women’s Boat Race.
Education and Early Achievements
During her time at Cambridge University, Metreweli not only excelled academically but also contributed to the university’s rowing team. Her experience in teamwork and resilience would later echo in her intelligence career.
Career in Intelligence Services
Metreweli joined MI6 in 1999 as an intelligence officer and has remained in service ever since. Over the years, she held several critical roles, including director-level positions at MI5, the UK’s domestic security service. Her contributions have consistently shaped national intelligence priorities.
Leading Innovation in Espionage
As of June 2025, she serves as the Director General for Technology and Innovation at MI6, a role commonly referred to as “Q”—a title inspired by the tech mastermind in James Bond. In this position, she has led efforts to modernize MI6’s technological infrastructure and cybersecurity capabilities.
Historic Appointment as MI6 Chief
In June 2025, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced Metreweli as the next Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service, making her the first woman to hold this role in the service’s 116-year history. She is set to begin her term on 1 October 2025, succeeding Sir Richard Moore.
Blaise Metreweli Physical Stats
Height (approx.) | 5′ 7″ (170 cm) |
Eye Colour | Lavender Gray |
Hair Colour | Light Blonde |
Blaise Metreweli Personal Life
Age | 47 Years |
Birthplace | London, UK |
Nationality | British |
Hometown | London, UK |
College/University | Pembroke College, Cambridge |
Educational Qualification | A degree in Anthropology |
Religion | Christianity |
- In June 2025, Metreweli was announced as the next chief of the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6), known as ‘C’, succeeding Sir Richard Moore upon his retirement in autumn 2025.
- In an interview UK’s prime minister, Keir Starmer, said that Metreweli’s appointment comes at a time of growing global instability, from increased cyber threats to escalating geopolitical tensions.
- Metreweli will be the first female head in 115 years of MI6.
- UK’s Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who made her appointment, stated that Metreweli is the perfect candidate to lead MI6 in addressing current emerging security challenges.
A Message of National Security and Progress
Prime Minister Starmer hailed her appointment as a pivotal moment, emphasizing the growing importance of intelligence services in a world facing escalating threats, from foreign espionage to cyberattacks. He praised her leadership and experience as essential to maintaining national security.
Words from the Incoming “C”
Metreweli stated she is “proud and honoured” to lead MI6, reaffirming her commitment to the service and its mission. She acknowledged the vital role played by MI6, alongside MI5 and GCHQ, in safeguarding the UK and promoting its interests globally.
“I look forward to continuing that work alongside the brave officers and agents of MI6 and our many international partners.”
Blaise Metreweli Becomes MI6’s First Female Chief in Historic Appointment
In a landmark decision reflecting the evolving dynamics of the intelligence community, the United Kingdom has appointed Blaise Metreweli as the first woman to lead its foreign spy agency, MI6. Prime Minister Keir Starmer made the announcement on June 15, 2025, while attending the G7 Summit in Canada
In a groundbreaking move, Blaise Metreweli has been appointed as the first-ever female chief of MI6, the United Kingdom’s foreign intelligence agency, since its inception in 1909. Announced by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on June 15, 2025, this historic decision signals a significant shift in the traditionally male-dominated world of espionage. Ms. Metreweli, currently the Director of Technology and Innovation at MI6, brings a wealth of experience and expertise in cybersecurity and digital intelligence, essential in tackling today’s evolving global threats.