Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service
| Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) | |
|---|---|
| Secret Intelligence Service | |
| Abbreviation | C |
| Reports to | Foreign Secretary |
| Appointer |
|
Constituting instrument | Intelligence Services Act 1994 |
| Formation | 1909 |
| First holder | Captain Sir Mansfield Smith-Cumming |
| Unofficial names | Chief of MI6, 'C' |
| Website | sis |
The chief of the Secret Intelligence Service serves as the head of the Secret Intelligence Service (SIS, also commonly known as MI6), which is part of the United Kingdom intelligence community. The chief is appointed by the foreign secretary, to whom they report directly. Annual reports are also made to the prime minister.
The chief of the Secret Intelligence Service typically signs letters with a "C" in green ink. This originates from the initial used by Captain Sir Mansfield Smith-Cumming, when he signed a letter "C" in green ink. Since then the chief has been known as "C".