Blaise Metreweli – First Female MI6 Chief
In the autumn of 2025, the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) entered a new chapter. For the first time in its 115-year history, a woman was appointed to lead the organisation. Blaise Metreweli, a career intelligence officer who joined the service in 1999, became the 18th Chief of SIS, succeeding Sir Richard Moore.
Her appointment, announced by Prime Minister Keir Starmer in June 2025, marked a generational shift in UK intelligence leadership. But who is the woman now responsible for one of the world’s most secretive agencies? This profile draws on official sources, public records, and her first major speech as Chief to provide a comprehensive overview.
Who is Blaise Metreweli? A Profile of the New MI6 Chief
Blaise Florence Metreweli is the first female Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service. Her appointment was confirmed in June 2025, and she formally took up the post in October 2025. She is a career intelligence officer, having spent over 25 years at MI6.
| Full Name | Role | Birth Date | Education | Key Fact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blaise Florence Metreweli | Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) | 30 July 1977 | Cheltenham Ladies’ College | First female head of MI6 |
- Blaise Metreweli is the first woman to lead MI6 in its 115-year history.
- She is a career intelligence officer, having spent her entire professional life at SIS since 1999.
- Her appointment represents a generational shift in UK intelligence leadership.
- Her speech in December 2025 provided a rare public insight into the current priorities of SIS.
- Personal details about her husband and salary are scarce, making any official confirmation highly valuable.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 30 July 1977 |
| Nationality | British |
| Current Position | Chief of SIS (MI6) |
| Start Date | Autumn 2025 |
| Predecessor | Sir Richard Moore |
| Education | Cheltenham Ladies’ College |
| Honours | CMG (Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George) |
Blaise Metreweli’s Background: Early Life, Parents, and Education
Metreweli was born on 30 July 1977. She spent part of her childhood abroad, living in countries including Saudi Arabia and Hong Kong, where her father worked as a radiologist. This international upbringing appears to have shaped her early interest in intelligence and codes.
She harboured dreams of becoming a spy from a young age, learning to write ciphers and codes and crafting hidden messages for friends.
Where Did Blaise Metreweli Go to School?
She attended Cheltenham Ladies’ College, a prestigious independent school in Gloucestershire, graduating around 1993. She later studied anthropology at Pembroke College, University of Cambridge, earning a BA degree in 1998. She is the third MI6 chief to have attended Pembroke College.
Who Are Blaise Metreweli’s Parents?
Metreweli’s father was a radiologist, which led the family to move frequently during her childhood. Her mother’s name and profession are not widely publicised. Reports have indicated that her paternal grandfather, Constantine Dobrowolski, was a senior Nazi informant in wartime Ukraine, a fact that has been acknowledged in the media but is not officially addressed by SIS.
Inside Blaise Metreweli’s Career: From Intelligence Officer to Chief of SIS
Metreweli joined the Secret Intelligence Service in 1999 as a case officer. She spent much of her early career in the Middle East, including during the UK’s military involvement in Afghanistan and Iraq. She is proficient in Arabic and has extensive experience managing agents in hostile territories.
What is Blaise Metreweli’s Career History?
Before becoming Chief, she served as Director General “Q”, leading MI6’s technology and innovation division. In this role, she was responsible for countering biometric surveillance and protecting agent identities. She also held a Director-level role in MI5 focused on hostile states. Her later studies mentioned in her inaugural speech include psychology and artificial intelligence.
In 2024, Metreweli was appointed a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) for services to British foreign policy. The CMG is a significant honour, typically awarded to those who have rendered important service in relation to foreign affairs.
When Was Blaise Metreweli Appointed Chief of MI6?
Her appointment as the 18th Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service was announced in June 2025. She officially succeeded Sir Richard Moore in October 2025.
Blaise Metreweli’s December 2025 Speech: Key Takeaways
On 15 December 2025, Metreweli delivered her first public speech as Chief at MI6 headquarters in Vauxhall Cross, London. It was a significant departure from traditional secrecy, offering a unique look into the modern strategy of SIS.
Metreweli warned that the UK faces a new “age of uncertainty” where conflict rules are being rewritten. She identified Russia as a significant threat, highlighting assassination plots, sabotage, cyber-attacks, and information manipulation, declaring that the “frontline is everywhere”. She also pledged continued UK support for Ukraine.
She emphasised the need for public trust, stating: “I’ve also heard that people want to believe in MI6. It’s my job to make sure they can.” This speech was a landmark moment, providing a rare public insight into the current priorities of the Secret Intelligence Service.
Personal Life of the MI6 Chief: Husband, Salary, and More
Given the nature of intelligence work, many personal details about the Chief remain private. Information about her husband or partner is not publicly disclosed, and no official records confirm her marital status. Similarly, her exact annual salary is not a matter of public record, although senior civil service salaries are sometimes published in aggregate form.
The limited information about Metreweli’s personal life reflects the standard privacy protocols for intelligence officers, even after promotion to the top role. While the Chief is the only publicly named member of MI6, the agency continues to operate under the constraints of the Official Secrets Act, which governs what can and cannot be disclosed.
Timeline of Key Events in Blaise Metreweli’s Life and Career
- — Born Blaise Florence Metreweli.
- — Graduated from Cheltenham Ladies’ College.
- — Graduated from Pembroke College, University of Cambridge, with a BA in Anthropology.
- — Joined the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) as a case officer.
- — Appointed a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG).
- — Announced as the 18th Chief of MI6, succeeding Sir Richard Moore.
- — Formally takes up the post as Chief of SIS.
- — Delivers her first public speech as Chief, outlining SIS’s role in a changing world.
Certainty and Uncertainty: What Is Confirmed and What Remains Unknown?
While many details of Metreweli’s background and career are confirmed by official sources, other aspects of her personal life remain unclear. This is common for individuals who have spent their careers in intelligence, but it is useful to distinguish between established facts and areas where information is incomplete.
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth (30 July 1977) | Name of her husband or partner |
| Appointment as Chief of MI6 | Exact annual salary |
| Education at Cheltenham Ladies’ College and University of Cambridge | Specific details of all her career roles before becoming Chief |
| Joined MI6 in 1999 | Financial details beyond the aggregate civil service bands |
Context: The Significance of the First Female MI6 Chief
Metreweli’s appointment is a historic milestone for the UK intelligence community. She is the first woman to lead MI6 in its 115-year history. Her public speech as Chief is a significant departure from traditional secrecy, offering a unique look into MI6’s modern strategy. The SIS website and Wikipedia serve as the most authoritative sources for her biography, while her speech on GOV.UK provides the most recent substantive policy insight.
This profile is created against the backdrop of a historic appointment for UK intelligence. Her public speech as Chief is a significant departure from traditional secrecy, offering a unique look into MI6’s modern strategy.
Sources and Key Quotes
“Blaise Metreweli is a career intelligence officer, having joined the Service in 1999. She has undertaken a range of roles across the Service…”
SIS (MI6) Official Website: ‘Our Chief’
“Blaise Florence Metreweli (born 30 July 1977) is a British intelligence officer and civil servant, currently Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6).”
Wikipedia
“Blaise Metreweli, who joined the Secret Intelligence Service in 1999, will become the 18th chief of the organisation…”
BBC News: ‘Blaise Metreweli appointed as MI6’s first female chief’
For the full transcript of her December 2025 speech, you can visit GOV.UK.
Summary: Who is Blaise Metreweli?
Blaise Metreweli is the 18th Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) and the first woman to hold the position. A career intelligence officer who joined the service in 1999, she has served in a range of roles across the organisation, including as Director General “Q” and in a senior role at MI5. Her appointment in 2025 marked a historic moment for UK intelligence. Her first public speech as Chief outlined a new “age of uncertainty” and emphasised the need for public trust in the service.
Is Blaise Metreweli the first female head of MI6?
Yes, Blaise Metreweli is the first woman to be appointed as the Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) in its history.
How old is Blaise Metreweli?
She was born on 30 July 1977, making her 47 years old as of her appointment in 2025.
Does Blaise Metreweli have a Wikipedia page?
Yes, a Wikipedia page exists for ‘Blaise Metreweli’ which provides a summary of her background and career.
Who did Blaise Metreweli replace as Chief of MI6?
She succeeded Sir Richard Moore.
What does ‘CMG’ stand for?
CMG stands for ‘Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George,’ an honour awarded for service in foreign affairs. This is part of her official title.
What did Blaise Metreweli study at university?
She studied anthropology at Pembroke College, University of Cambridge, graduating in 1998. Her speech also mentions later study in psychology and AI.
Is Blaise Metreweli married?
The name of her husband or partner is not publicly disclosed, and no official records confirm her marital status.
What is Blaise Metreweli’s salary?
Her exact annual salary is not publicly available, although senior civil service salaries are sometimes published in aggregate form.
What was Blaise Metreweli’s role before becoming Chief?
Before becoming Chief, she served as Director General “Q”, leading MI6’s technology and innovation division. She also held a Director-level role in MI5 focused on hostile states.
Where did Blaise Metreweli grow up?
She spent part of her childhood abroad, including in Saudi Arabia and Hong Kong, where her father worked as a radiologist.
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