Cambridge alumnus Blaise Metreweli will become the first female chief of MI6 in the ministry’s 116 year history.

Metreweli, who studied Anthropology at Pembroke and triumphed against Oxford in the 1997 Boat Race, will be the 18th head of the organisation, taking over from Sir Richard Moore later this year.

As part of the announcement, Metreweli was identified as the current Director General of MI6′s head of technology and innovation, known as “Q”.

She began her work as an intelligence agent in 1999, and has previously held a director-level role at MI5, the UK’s domestic counter-intelligence agency. Most of her career operational roles have been based in the Middle East and Europe, and have included conflict zones.

Metreweli has previously described herself as a “geek”.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the appointment “historic” at a time when “the work of our intelligence service services has never been more vital”. He added: “The United Kingdom is facing threats on an unprecedented scale – be it aggressors who send their spy ships to our waters or hackers whose sophisticated cyber plots seek to disrupt our public services.”

Metreweli said she was “proud and honoured” to receive the position, stating: “MI6 plays a vital role – with MI5 and GCHQ – in keeping the British people safe and promoting UK interests overseas. I look forward to continuing that work alongside the brave officers and agents of MI6 and our many international partners.”

Metreweli will be reporting to Foreign Secretary David Lammy, and will be tasked with gathering intelligence overseas to improve the UK’s security, with a focus on counter-terrorism, disrupting the activities of hostile states, and bolstering cyber-security.

Lammy described Metreweli as “the ideal candidate” for the role due to her “wealth of experience from across our national security community”.

The outgoing chief, Sir Richard Moore, said he was “absolutely delighted” with Metreweli’s appointment, stating: “Blaise is a highly accomplished intelligence officer and leader, and one of our foremost thinkers on technology.”

The Chief of MI6, referred to as “C,” is the only publicly named member of MI6.