Anne Kist-Butler became the first female head of British intelligence

Anne Kist-Butler, who has worked for 30 years in the British National Security Service, was named on Tuesday the first woman to lead the British intelligence service, responsible for security, communications espionage and counterintelligence.

Kist-Butler, currently Deputy Director General of MI5, the UK’s domestic intelligence service, will head the Government Communications Headquarters, GCHQ – Government Communications Headquarters, which collects information through communications to prevent cyber-attacks, terrorism and espionage.

“Anne Kist-Butler has an impressive track record of working at the heart of the UK’s national security network, helping to fight the threat posed by terrorists, cybercriminals and evil foreign powers,” British Foreign Secretary James Cleverley said in announcing the nomination.

GCHQ

“GCHQ’s mission to keep the UK safe is as inspiring today as it was when it was founded over 100 years ago, operating in the heart of the UK and being our allies’ answer to some of the most challenging challenges of our time,” Kist said. – Butler.

The appointment is due to the fact that the special services are focused on threats from Russia and China.

In his current position at MI5, Kist-Butler was responsible for operational security, investigative and defense work, which included preparing for and responding to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Kist-Butler takes up her new post in May, replacing Jeremy Fleming, who announced her departure in January after six years in office, making her the first woman to lead the UK Intelligence Service since Eliza Manningham-Buller left. from MI5 in 2007.

The new head of GCHQ really wanted to return to the department, where she worked as head of the department for combating terrorism and organized crime.