A former “Q,” she will be the first woman to lead Britain’s foreign intelligence service in the agency’s 116-year history.

In a historic move, MI6, Britain’s storied Secret Intelligence Service, will be led by a woman for the first time in its 116-year history. Blaise Metreweli, a 47-year-old intelligence veteran who joined MI6 in 1999, will take the helm as the 18th chief, succeeding Sir Richard Moore later this year.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced the “historic” appointment of Blaise Metreweli as the first female chief of the UK’s Secret Intelligence Service, commonly known as MI6, in the organisation’s 116-year history.