MI6 Names Its First Female Head And It Is Nothing Like 007, What We Know About Blaise Metreweli

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In a landmark moment for global intelligence, Blaise Metreweli, currently MI6's director-general for technology and innovation, is poised to become the first female head of Britain's Secret Intelligence Service.

Her appointment, effective 1 October 2025, marks a revolutionary shift in an agency that, since its founding in 1909, has never had a woman at the helm.

Photo Credit: Oneindia

Who Is Blaise Metreweli? Early Life, Education And Career

Blaise Florence Metreweli was born in July 1977, in the London Borough of Brent, into a family shaped by global connections and intellectual achievement. She is one of four children and has a twin sibling. Her surname, Metreweli (or Metreveli), reflects her Georgian heritage, and her father, Constantine Metreweli (originally Dobrowolski), was born in Ukraine during World War II.

Her father was a distinguished medical professional who graduated from both Cambridge (1962) and Oxford (1967). He served as a radiologist in the Royal Army Medical Corps, worked at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, and later led the Radiology Department at the Chinese University of Hong Kong from 1986 to 2001.

Blaise Metreweli pursued Anthropology at Pembroke College, Cambridge, where she graduated in 1998. She distinguished herself beyond the classroom: in 1997, she was a crew member of the Cambridge University Women's Boat Club, helping to secure victory in the annual Women's Boat Race.

It was during her time at Cambridge that she considered a career in diplomacy. However, her trajectory shifted when she was recruited by MI6, launching her into a high-stakes and tightly orchestrated world of intelligence operations.

A 26‑Year Climb Through The Shadows

Metreweli's MI6 journey began in 1999. Over 26 years, she served in various operational roles, including in the Middle East and Europe, and even held a directorship at MI5. In 2022, she became MI6's "Q"-director-general of technology and innovation. Her progression highlights both her expertise and the importance of modern tech in intelligence work.

From Q to C: Breaking a 116‑Year Glass Ceiling

On 15 June 2025, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that Metreweli would be officially designated as "C," the head of MI6, effective from 1 October 2025. She succeeds Sir Richard Moore, who notably expressed his desire that his successor be a woman to help shatter the agency's glass ceiling.

MI6 has historically lagged behind MI5 and GCHQ in gender diversity. While MI5 has previously been led by women and GCHQ appointed a female head in 2023, MI6 remained a male bastion-until now. This shift signifies not only a symbolic change but also a broader cultural transformation within British intelligence.

Metreweli's Leadership And Accomplishments

As head of Q, Metreweli managed MI6's technology and innovation portfolio-an increasingly critical domain. Her deep experience will be vital as MI6 confronts challenges from cyber warfare, digital surveillance, and advanced facial recognition technologies. Her unique blend of tech insight and operational know-how sets her up to manage MI6's future threats.

Metreweli's elevation reflects more than her own accomplishments-it aligns with MI6's broader modernization and diversity efforts. Under Moore's leadership, the agency opened up recruitment beyond elite universities and apologized for past discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals.

While MI6 chiefs-known as "C"-typically remain anonymous, Metreweli's appointment ensures at least one known senior public face for the agency. As the first openly named head, her leadership brings visibility to MI6's work and evolving identity.

Blaise Metreweli's ascent to MI6's top post is historic in many ways. It dissolves a century-long gender barrier, underscores the vital role of technology in modern espionage, and signals a new, more inclusive era for Britain's intelligence community.