Britain's intelligence agency MI6 could get its first woman chief

Britain's foreign intelligence service MI6 could create history by selecting the first ever woman chief. Reports are rife suggesting MI6 head Alex Younger's ongoing hunt for his successor who could be a female.

According to reports, Younger has already shortlisted a list of candidates and one of them is a woman.

Lately, MI6 has been trying to diversify its workforce and attract more women and applicants from minority groups.Younger had previously voiced his concern over talented applicants opting not toapply for the intelligence service owing to stereotypes attached to secret agents.

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The MI6 chief is selected by Britain's foreign secretary and is required to be approved by the prime minister.

MI5, Britain's domestic counterintelligence agency, has previously had women chiefs. Stella Rimington was the first female Director General of the agency who assumed office in 1992. Eliza Manningham-Buller assumed office as MI5's Director General in October 2002.

Meanwhile, the United States may also get its first female CIA Director. US President Donald Trump nominated intelligence officer Gina Haspel for the office in March. Haspel assumed office as Acting Director of the intelligence agency after former CIA chief Mike Pompeo took over as the US Secretary of State.