New MI6 chief will be a woman

At least two of the candidates are serving intelligence officers, and thus their names cannot be disclosed. The current head of MI6’s engineering branch, a woman, is likely a strong contender, and those familiar with the service have named her as a candidate.

The Sunday Times reported that Dame Barbara Woodward, an external candidate, is also a favored option. The former head of the UK Border Agency currently serves as the UK’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and has not previously worked for MI6.

Sir Richard Moore, the current MI6 chief, was a former spy who became the UK ambassador to Turkey. In 2020, he returned to MI6 to take up the role. His five-year term ends later this year, and the search for his successor is moving quickly. Final interviews for his replacement reportedly took place last week.

In 2023, Sir Richard revealed that he was appointed from an all-male shortlist and wrote on X: “I will help advance women’s equality by working to ensure that the last ‘C’ chosen from an all-male shortlist is me.”

The final decision on the appointment will be made by the Prime Minister, in consultation with a panel of senior government figures, including Foreign Secretary David Lammy and National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell.

MI6, established in 1909, has had 17 chiefs, all of whom have been men.