Blaise Metreweli facts for kids

Blaise Florence Metreweli is a British government worker. She helps lead new technology and ideas at MI6, which is also known as the Secret Intelligence Service.

Blaise Metreweli is set to become the head of MI6, known as "C", on October 1, 2025. She will take over after Sir Richard Moore retires. When she starts this important job, she will be the first woman ever to lead MI6.

Early Life and Education

Blaise Florence Metreweli was born on July 30, 1977. She spent some of her childhood in Hong Kong with her brothers and sisters.

She went to Cheltenham Ladies' College and then Westminster School in London. At Westminster School, she was the student leader, or "captain," from 1994 to 1995.

After school, Blaise Metreweli studied anthropology at Pembroke College, Cambridge. She earned her degree from the University of Cambridge in 1998.

Rowing Achievements

While at Cambridge, Blaise Metreweli was a talented rower. She was part of the Cambridge University Women's Boat Club team. In 1997, her team won the Women's Boat Race against Oxford University. This is a famous rowing competition.

In the same year, she also helped her college team win the May Bumps rowing race. This competition is held between different teams at Cambridge University.

Family Background

Blaise Metreweli's father, Constantine Metreweli, was born in 1943. He came to England with his mother. His mother later married David Metreweli, and Constantine took the surname Metreweli. This name comes from the country of Georgia.

Her father became a doctor who specialized in radiology. He also worked at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

In June 2025, some news came out about Blaise Metreweli's grandfather. The Foreign Office explained that Blaise Metreweli never knew her grandfather. They also said that her family background has made her even more dedicated. It has helped her work to prevent problems and keep British people safe from modern dangers.

Career in Intelligence

Blaise Metreweli joined MI6 in 1999. Early in her career, she worked in the Middle East. This was a time when Britain was involved in military actions in Afghanistan and Iraq.

She has worked as an intelligence officer ever since. This includes important leadership roles at MI5, another British intelligence agency. Her work has focused on stopping terrorism and dealing with difficult global issues. These issues include things like biometric surveillance by China and cyberattacks from Russia.

From 2000 to 2003, she worked for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in Dubai. Around 2009, she was leading an MI6 office in the Middle East.

Public Recognition and Leadership

Blaise Metreweli has given interviews to newspapers during her career. She was known by special names like "Director K" and "Ada" for these interviews.

In December 2021, she was working at MI5 as the Head of Hostile States Counterintelligence. By June 2025, she was the Director General of Technology and Innovation ("Q") at MI6. At that time, three out of the four top directors at MI6 were women, which was a first.

In June 2025, it was announced that Blaise Metreweli would be the next chief of MI6. She will start her new role in the autumn of 2025. She is the first woman to hold this very important position. As the chief of MI6, she will be the only member of the service whose name is publicly known.

Awards and Personal Life

Blaise Metreweli received a special award called the Companion of the Order of St. Michael & St. George (CMG). This was given to her in the King's Birthday Honours for 2024. She was recognized for her great work in British foreign policy.

Blaise Metreweli can speak Arabic very well. She has children and enjoys participating in masters rowing races. She has rowed in veteran boat races between Oxford and Cambridge in 2024 and 2025.