MI6

MI6 will be led by a woman for the first time in the foreign intelligence service's 116-year history.

MI6 is tasked with gathering intelligence overseas to improve the UK's security, with its core aims being to stop terrorism, disrupt the activities of hostile states, and bolster cyber-security.

"I look forward to continuing that work alongside the brave officers and agents of MI6 and our many international partners."

Ms Metreweli, who studied anthropology at the University of Cambridge, has previously held director level roles in MI5 - MI6's sister, domestic security agency - and spent most of her career working in the Middle East and Europe.

MI6's role is to recruit human agents to steal secrets from Britain's adversaries, which include both hostile nations and non-state groups like al-Qaeda.