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

Blaise Metreweli, who joined the Secret Intelligence Service in 1999, will become the 18th chief of the organisation and take over from Sir Richard Moore later this year. 

She is currently responsible for technology and innovation at the service and said she was "proud and honoured" to have been asked to lead. 

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called the appointment "historic" at a time "when the work of our intelligence services has never been more vital," according to BBC.

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.