For the first time: woman takes over the management of the British secret service MI6!

For the first time: woman takes over the management of the British secret service MI6!

Ludwigsburg, Deutschland - A historical moment is imminent: For the first time, a woman will take over the management of the British foreign intelligence agency MI6. Blaise Metreweli, the current general director of technology and innovation, will succeed Richard Moore in autumn, who will hand over the office. This is reported by the Ludwigsburger Kreiszeitung .

METRERWELI, which has been working for the MI6 since 1999, has served mostly in the Middle East and Europe over the course of its career. Your appointment comes at a time when the activities of the news services have achieved a new status. In view of the global uncertainties, Prime Minister Keir Strander and Foreign Minister David Lammy emphasize the need for this role and its importance. Metreweli himself was pleased to be able to lead the service, and so in the future it will bear the operational responsibility as "C" of the MI6, as the item is called.

a change in the history of the MI6

The appointment of a woman to the top of the MI6 is a significant step, especially if you take into account that in the 116-year history of the authority there was never a woman at the top. As the n-tv.de actively supported Richard Moore and explained the search for a female successor that he wants to be the last "C" who chosen from a purely male list became. This shows not only the desire for diversity, but also a growing sensitivity within the secret service for social questions.

The previous lead of the MI6 was strongly male. As a reminder: The other two large British intelligence agencies, MI5 and GCHQ, have already seen female bosses with leaders such as Stella Rimington and Anne Keast-Butler. Richard Moore has emphasized that different perspectives and backgrounds lead to better solutions - a thought that should make the MI6 sustainable.

a procedure of appreciation

The selection for Moore's succession was done in the background, far from public speculation. Cabinet secretary Chris Wormald had asked the ministries for proposals for suitable candidates who could come from both the MI6 and from other areas such as the public service, the diplomatic service, the forces or the police. This internal and targeted search was part of a process to give a new coat of paint to the image of the MI6, which is not very diverse. In 2021, Richard Moore also apologized for the treatment of LGBT employees at the time, which shows that the service is going through a positive development.

Now all eyes are directed to Blaise Metreweli. Her career and expertise could bring a breath of fresh air to the British secret services, at a time when the challenges have not decreased. The assumption of your new role as "C" not only stands for a change in the leadership, but also for a fundamental change within the service cultures.