British foreign intelligence service MI6 gets female head for the first time

For the first time in the history of the British foreign intelligence service MI6 , a woman is set to take over its top post. Blaise Metreweli, an anthropologist, will take over the role from the current incumbent, Richard Moore, in the fall, according to the British government. Metreweli has worked for the British intelligence service since 1999 and is currently Director General of Technology and Innovation at MI6. She has spent most of her career in various roles in the Middle East and Europe.

According to the statement, the head of MI6, usually referred to simply as "C," has operational responsibility for the intelligence agency and is its only member to be identified publicly by name. Metreweli said she was honored to lead the service. As MI6 chief, she will report to the Foreign Office.

A woman at the head of the legendary secret service has so far only existed in the James Bond films, where actress Judy Dench played the fictional M several times from 1995 to 2015.

The historic premiere comes at a time "when the work of our intelligence services has never been more important," Prime Minister Keir Starmer was quoted as saying in the statement. "The United Kingdom is facing threats of unprecedented proportions – whether aggressors sending their spy ships into our waters or hackers using sophisticated cyber tactics to disrupt our public services." Foreign Secretary David Lammy also emphasized the importance of the role "in times of global instability."