Britain’s secret intelligence service will be governed by a woman for the first time in her history, after Prime Minister Kir Starmer announced on Sunday that she has chosen a spy with extensive experience in technology and businesses in the Middle East to lead the historic MI6.

Blaise Metreweli takes over the reins of MI6 in a period of international crisis – with Israel and Iran suddenly in war, the conflict in Ukraine reaching its 4th year and Russia accused of lucrative attacks throughout Europe and in the US.

A woman’s appointment is landmark for an intelligence service often depicted as stronghold of sexism In his films James Bond. But the 47 -year -old Metreweli had already risen to the higher levels of the service in another role – “Q” – who became famous for these Hollywood films.

As Director General of Technology and Innovationa position referred to in the letter “Q”, Metreweli has in recent years been involved in the development of espionage software and high -tech devices that have helped Ukraine and other allies in secret businesses, according to current UK and US officials.

Starmer referred to Metreweli’s appointment as’historical»And said she would take over her role at a time when “The United Kingdom is facing unprecedented threats – whether they are attackers who send their spy ships to our waters, or hackers whose sophisticated cybercrops seek to disrupt our public services.”

Metreweli replaces Richard Moore, who has been head of MI6 for the past five years and has been working closely with his US counterpart, former CIA Director William J. Burns. Indeed, his subordinates jokingly described their relationship as “brotherly”.

It is noted that the relationship between the US and the United Kingdom has been set challenge since Donald Trump He returned to power.

European officials have been concerned with the dismissal of the Director of the NSA cyberback, the removal of senior analysts and the proposal of a Trump adviser to dismantle the Historical Information Cooperation “Five Eyes”, With the dismissal of Canada from a group that also includes the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand.

US and United Kingdom officials have tried to downgrade the concerns that their relationship is being worn out, saying that the cooperation and exchange of information was uninterrupted. To reinforce these links, the CIA Director and other leaders of the Five Eyes services recently with King Charles III in Windsor Castle.

In a statement, Metreweli said that ‘It is my honor that I was asked to lead my service. “ “I look forward to continuing this project with the brave officers and agents of MI6 and our many international partners”, He stressed.

Metreweli joined the Mi6 in 1999 and passed most of her career in business roles to Middle East and Europe.