The Chief of MI6 will be Blaise Metrewell, and makes history in the secret service’s 116-year history, as the 18^th chief and take over from Sir Richard Moore later this year.

Ms Metrewell (47) is currently responsible for technology and innovation at the service and Director General “Q” head of the division and come up with new ways to evade adversaries like China’s biometric surveillance. MI6 plays a vital role -with MI5 and GCHQ in keeping the British people safe and promoting UK interests overseas.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called the appointment “historic. When the work of our intelligence services has never been more vital”.

Sir Richard, said “ Blaise is a highly accomplished intelligence officer and leader, and one of our foremost thinkers on technology”.

MI6’s chief commonly referred to as “C” is the only publicly named member of the service as all the rest are undercover.