LONDON, October 3 (RIA Novosti), Mark Hirst – UK Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond announced Friday that the next Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service (SIS) also known as MI6, will be Alex Younger, a former British Army Officer and economic graduate.
"I am pleased to announce that Alex Younger has been appointed as the next Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service," Hammond said in a statement issued by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
Younger replaces Sir John Sawers who UK Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond described as delivering "strong leadership and a personal commitment to a modernizing agenda."
"I am delighted and honored to become Chief of SIS and lead one of the best intelligence agencies in the world," Younger commented on his appointment.
"Our dedicated staff work tirelessly against an array of threats that this country faces. They do so in close partnership with both MI5 and GCHQ with whom I am looking forward to co-operating closely," he added.
Younger joined the SIS in 1991 and has been overseeing the service's intelligence operations globally for the past two years. Younger was a senior SIS officer in Afghanistan and has also had postings in Europe and the Middle East.
He was also leading the intelligence service's counter terrorism work in the three years running up to London 2012 Olympic Games.
