Britain’s foreign intelligence agency, MI6, may soon appoint its first female chief as the search for a successor to Richard Moore begins. Moore, the current chief—known as “C”—has previously expressed his support for a woman to take on the role, aiming to break the agency’s 116-year history of male leadership.
Despite the fictional portrayal of Judi Dench as M in the James Bond films, MI6 has yet to see a woman at its helm. However, the UK’s other intelligence agencies have already made history, with MI5 previously led by Stella Rimington and Eliza Manningham-Buller, and Anne Keast-Butler currently heading GCHQ.
MI6 has been actively working to increase diversity, moving beyond its traditional recruitment from elite universities. The agency now highlights family-friendly policies and a commitment to attracting talent from all backgrounds. Moore has also publicly addressed past discrimination, including MI6’s historical ban on LGBT employees, which was lifted in 1991.
The selection process for the next chief is taking place behind closed doors, with applications being sought from within MI6 and other intelligence and security sectors. Notably, all three MI6 directors-general reporting to Moore—who include the agency’s head of operations and technology chief—are women, making them strong contenders for the role.
An announcement is expected in the summer, with the new chief set to assume office in the fall.
If a woman is appointed as MI6 chief, it would mark a historic moment for Britain’s intelligence community, reinforcing the agency’s commitment to diversity and modernization. While MI6 remains highly secretive, Moore’s tenure has been notable for increasing transparency, engaging with the public through social media, and speaking openly about the agency’s evolving mission.
The selection process, led by Cabinet Secretary Chris Wormald, will consider candidates from various backgrounds, including other intelligence agencies, the civil service, the diplomatic corps, the military, and law enforcement. However, given the presence of highly qualified women within MI6’s leadership, the likelihood of a female chief has never been higher.
Beyond breaking barriers, the new MI6 chief will inherit significant global challenges, including continued tensions with Russia following its invasion of Ukraine, growing cyber threats, and intelligence operations related to the Israel-Hamas conflict. Strengthening international partnerships and adapting to rapidly evolving technologies will also be key priorities.
As Britain awaits the final decision, the appointment could redefine MI6’s future, signaling a shift toward a more inclusive and modern intelligence service that better reflects the country it serves.
