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Alex Younger named new head of MI6 New head of MI6 named: Alex Younger 'delighted' to become real-life 'M' of Secret Service
(about 20 hours later)
A career spy who oversaw the anti-terror operation in the run up to the London 2012 Olympics is to become the new head of MI6. The new head of MI6 has been named as Alex Younger, a career spy who has worked in the Secret Intelligence Service (SIS) for more than 20 years.
Alex Younger will assume the role professionally known as a C after its original incumbent Sir George Mansfield Smith-Cumming but popularised in the public imagination as M by the James Bond films and books. He is replacing Sir John Sawers, who announced he was stepping down after five years as SIS chief earlier this year.
His appointment follows the unprecedented spectacle last year of all three of Britain’s leading spy chiefs being forced to give evidence together in public in the wake of revelations from the former National Security Agency (NSA) contractor Edward Snowden. His appointment comes at a crucial time for the overseas spy agency, as Britain’s involvement increases in the war against Isis in Iraq and Syria and conflicts continue in Ukraine, Somalia, Sudan, Nigeria, the Central African Republic and numerous other nations.
Mr Younger will replace Sir John Sawyers, who retired after five years in the post. He is the second new security head to take up position after the appointment of senior diplomat Robert Hannigan in April as new director of GCHQ – the monitoring agency which was accused of conducting mass surveillance activities in the Snowden exposes. Mr Younger said he was “delighted and honoured” to take up the challenge.
As well as the deteriorating situation presented by Isis in Syria and Iraq, Mr Younger will face a growing concern over Eastern Europe and events in eastern Ukraine as well as threats posed by groups such as al-Qaeda, Boko Haram and the spectre of hundreds of returning British jihadists from abroad. “Our dedicated staff work tirelessly against an array of threats that this country faces,” he added.
Mr Younger, who for the last two years has been overseeing MI6’s intelligence operations worldwide said, he was delighted and honoured to become chief of Secret Intelligence Service (SIS)  and lead one of the best intelligence agencies in the world.” “They do so in close partnership with both MI5 and GCHQ, with whom I am looking forward to co-operating closely.”
Following the spy chiefs’ appearance before MPs and public concern over surveillance, Mr Younger is expected to become the most high profile person to have held the position first established more than century ago. Unlike the fictional MI6 chief “M” made famous in the James Bond films, the real-life leader is known by as “C” after the first head Sir George Mansfield Smith-Cumming and Mr Younger will take on the initial when he starts his role next month.
He paid tribute to his predecessor who he said had contributed a lifetime of dedicated service to the country. “He brought us into a new era, and I am determined to build on this and bring my ideas for a modern service to life,” he added. He paid tribute to his predecessor Sir John Sawers, for his “lifetime’s dedication to the country”.
Among the brief biographical details released by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, was that Mr Younger is a former economics graduate who served in the British Army. Since joining MI6 he has served in postings in Europe, the Middle East and Afghanistan where he was the senior intelligence officer. “He brought us into a new era, and I am determined to build on this and bring my ideas for a modern Service to life,” he added.
He is married with children and his hobbies include music, sailing and mountaineering. Sir John Sawers announced he was stepping down earlier this year Sir John was noted for bringing an unprecedented transparency to the secret service, regularly giving speeches and appearing at televised parliamentary hearings to describe its work.
Announcing the appointment Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said: “Alex brings a wealth of relevant experience including his work in Afghanistan and helping keep the country safe during the London 2012 Olympics.” He spoke strongly against the Edward Snowden leaks, telling a select committee last year that they had put operations at risk and had enemies including Al-Qaeda “rubbing their hands with glee”.
The former M16 chief said he was “delighted”, with Mr Younger’s appointment, calling him a “colleague and friend”.
“He has played a vital part alongside me in modernising SIS and ensuring that the Service is in the best possible shape to play our part in defending the country’s security and our values,” Sir John added.
The existence of the agency was not officially recognised until 1994, when John Major’s Government introduced the Intelligence Services Act making it subject to Whitehall scrutiny.
Founded in 1909, it now employs around 3,200 people and has its headquarters in Vauxhall Cross, central London.
The Secret Intelligence Service headquarters in Vauxhall The Foreign Office described Mr Younger as a “career SIS officer” since 1991, overseeing intelligence operations worldwide.
He has had overseas postings in Europe and the Middle East and was the senior MI6 officer in Afghanistan.
Other roles have been based in London, including leading the agency’s counter-terrorism work during the three years running up to the London 2012 Olympics.
Before joining the secret service, Mr Younger was an officer in the British Army and holds a degree in economics.
“Outside of SIS, Alex enjoys music, sailing and mountaineering,” a Foreign Office spokesperson said. “He is married with children.”
The Foreign Secretary, Philip Hammond, said Mr Younger brings a wealth of relevant experience to the “vital” agency.