LONDON: For the first time in its 116-year history, the British foreign intelligence service MI6 has appointed a woman as its chief.

According to international media reports, Blaise Metreweli will become the 18th head of MI6, marking a historic milestone for the UK’s top spy agency. She is set to take over the role in the coming weeks, ushering in a new era of leadership at the Secret Intelligence Service.

According to a report by the British public broadcaster, 47-year-old Blaze Metreweli has been part of the UK’s secret intelligence service since 1999 and is set to assume the role later this year.

The report adds that UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has hailed the appointment of the first female MI6 chief as “historic.”