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

Metreweli will assume office as the spy agency's 18th chief, taking over from Richard Moore, who held the job for five years. She has been an intelligence officer since 1999.

MI6 will be led by a woman for the first time in the foreign intelligence service's 116-year history. Blaise Metreweli, who joined the Secret Intelligence Service in 1999, will become the 18th chief of the organisation and take over from Sir Richard Moore later this year.