Few promotions in British government stir as much public curiosity as the naming of a new MI6 chief. When Blaise Metreweli was appointed in June 2025, set to take over in the autumn, the announcement came with a historic twist: she would be the first woman to lead the Secret Intelligence Service in its 116-year history. The appointment also surfaced a sensitive family detail—her grandfather had been a Nazi informant—which MI6 has since distanced itself from. This profile looks at the facts, the gaps, and the broader questions about the UK’s intelligence apparatus.
Born: 30 July 1977 · Nationality: British · Role: Chief of MI6 · Education: Cheltenham Ladies’ College · Joined MI6: 1999
Quick snapshot
- Blaise Metreweli is British and holds the position of Chief of MI6 (GOV.UK (UK government)).
- She was born in 1977 and attended Cheltenham Ladies’ College (Reuters (news agency)).
- Her grandfather was a Nazi informant, but she never met him (BBC News (public broadcaster)).
- She joined MI6 in 1999 (Reuters (news agency)).
- Exact salary of the Chief of MI6 is not publicly confirmed.
- Details about her personal life (e.g., whether she has children) are not officially confirmed.
- Appointed first female MI6 chief – announced 15 June 2025, assumed role 1 October 2025 (GOV.UK (UK government)).
- Metreweli is expected to lead MI6 through heightened geopolitical threats including Russia and China (The Guardian (UK newspaper)).
Eight details form the core known profile of MI6’s 18th chief.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Blaise Florence Metreweli |
| Date of Birth | 30 July 1977 |
| Place of Birth | United Kingdom (childhood in Hong Kong) |
| Education | Cheltenham Ladies’ College |
| Agency | Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) |
| Position | Chief of MI6 |
| Tenure | 2025–present |
| Predecessor | Sir Richard Moore |
Who is Blaise Metreweli?
What is her background?
- Born on 30 July 1977, Metreweli spent part of her childhood in Hong Kong before returning to the UK (Reuters (news agency)).
- She attended Cheltenham Ladies’ College, a prestigious independent school (Encyclopaedia Britannica (reference publisher)).
- Metreweli joined MI6 in 1999, spending her early career in operational roles across Europe and the Middle East (Reuters (news agency)).
How did she become MI6 chief?
- At the time of her appointment, Metreweli was serving as Director General ‘Q’, responsible for technology and innovation inside MI6 (GOV.UK (UK government)).
- She had also held a director-level role in MI5, the domestic intelligence service (GOV.UK (UK government)).
- The government announced her as the next Chief of MI6 on 15 June 2025, and she succeeded Sir Richard Moore on 1 October 2025 (GOV.UK (UK government)).
- Moore’s tenure ended on 30 September 2025, after which he became chair of the Kennedy Memorial Trust (GOV.UK (UK government)).
Metreweli’s career arc—from junior officer to chief—spans 26 years and two intelligence services, making her both an insider and a symbol of cultural change at MI6.
What nationality is Blaise Metreweli?
Is she British?
Blaise Metreweli is British. She holds UK nationality and has lived and worked in the country for most of her life (Encyclopaedia Britannica (reference publisher)). The name Metreweli is of Georgian origin, a detail that has drawn attention but does not affect her citizenship status.
Where is the name Metreweli from?
What is the origin of her surname?
The surname Metreweli is of Georgian origin (Al Jazeera (international news network)). It has been the subject of public discussion because her paternal grandfather, Georgi Metreweli, was a Nazi informant during World War II. MI6 has stated that Blaise Metreweli never knew or met her grandfather (BBC News (public broadcaster)).
The family history resurfaced just as Metreweli took the helm, testing how the agency handles public scrutiny of its leadership’s past.
How much does the chief of MI6 earn?
Is the salary publicly disclosed?
The exact salary of the Chief of MI6 is not publicly disclosed. Like many senior intelligence roles, the figure is exempt from the standard public-sector pay transparency rules (GOV.UK (UK government recruitment)). Comparable UK agency heads typically earn in the range of £180,000 to £220,000, but no official figure has been confirmed for the chief of MI6.
Who is more secretive, MI5 or MI6?
What is the difference between MI5 and MI6?
- MI5 (the Security Service) is the UK’s domestic counter-intelligence and security agency. It operates within UK borders (MI5 (UK domestic intelligence)).
- MI6 (the Secret Intelligence Service, SIS) is responsible for foreign intelligence gathering. Its officers typically work overseas (SIS (UK foreign intelligence)).
Which agency is more secretive?
Both operate with high secrecy, but MI6’s foreign operations are generally more classified because they involve agents, diplomatic cover, and international partnerships (The Guardian (UK newspaper)). MI5’s domestic focus means its legal framework and oversight are more transparent. The implication: MI6 has a wider “classified zone” around its day-to-day activities.
Timeline
- – Blaise Metreweli born on 30 July.
- – Graduated from Cheltenham Ladies’ College.
- – Joined the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6).
- – Appointed Chief of MI6; first woman in the role (GOV.UK (UK government)).
- – BBC reports on grandfather’s Nazi past; MI6 distances itself (BBC News (public broadcaster)).
- – Assumed role as Chief of MI6 (The Guardian (UK newspaper)).
- – Delivers a speech on SIS’s role in keeping the UK safe (GOV.UK (UK government)).
Clarity check
Confirmed facts
- Blaise Metreweli is British and holds the position of Chief of MI6.
- She was born in 1977 and attended Cheltenham Ladies’ College.
- Her grandfather was a Nazi informant, but she never met him.
- She joined MI6 in 1999.
What’s unclear
- Exact salary of the Chief of MI6 is not publicly confirmed.
- Details about her personal life (e.g., whether she has children) are not officially confirmed.
Quotes from the record
“SIS is keeping the UK safe in a world of increasing threats.”
— Blaise Metreweli, from her December 2025 speech (GOV.UK (UK government))
“Blaise Metreweli neither knew nor met her grandfather.”
— MI6 spokesperson, quoted by BBC News (BBC News (public broadcaster))
Metreweli’s appointment represents a dual breakthrough: a woman at the head of an agency founded in 1909, and a professional who rose through its ranks at a time of increasing geopolitical tension. For British intelligence, the choice signals continuity in operational secrecy but a break in public perception. The coming years will test whether that balance holds.
en.wikipedia.org, aljazeera.com, theguardian.com, securitywomen.org, bbc.com, cnn.com, gov.uk, gov.uk
Frequently asked questions
Does Blaise Metreweli have children?
No official confirmation of her family status has been released. MI6 does not publish personal details of its chiefs.
Is James Bond a MI5 or 6?
James Bond is a fictional MI6 officer. In the books and films, he works for the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6), not MI5.
What is the most feared intelligence agency in the world?
Rankings vary, but the CIA, MI6, Mossad, and FSB are often cited. Fear is subjective and depends on context.
Does MI7 actually exist?
MI7 was a British propaganda department during World War I and was disbanded in 1918. It does not exist today.
What are MI1, MI2, MI3, MI4?
These were historical War Office departments responsible for codebreaking (MI1), Russian/Nordic intelligence (MI2), Eastern Europe (MI3), and maps (MI4). All have been absorbed into other agencies or dissolved.
What does MI stand for in MI5?
MI stands for Military Intelligence. MI5 originated as the War Office’s Military Intelligence section 5.
What is the CIA in the UK called?
The UK’s equivalent of the CIA is the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6). The CIA is a US agency and has no direct UK counterpart; MI6 handles foreign intelligence for the UK.
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Craig Newton is Senior Reporter at ScopePress.uk, covering breaking technology news and consumer tech stories across the UK.