New Director General appointed

28 March 2013

The current Deputy Director of the Security Service (MI5), Andrew Parker, has been appointed as successor to Sir Jonathan Evans, Home Secretary Theresa May announced today, with the agreement of the Prime Minister.

Mr. Parker has worked for the Security Service for more than 30 years and has been in his current role since 2007. He will take over from Sir Jonathan when he retires in April.

The Home Secretary, Theresa May, said:

"I am very pleased to announce the appointment of Andrew Parker as the new DG of the Security Service, a role to which he brings a wealth of experience and knowledge. Under his leadership the Service will continue to stay ahead of global and domestic threats to our national security and further develop its reputation as one of the world's most effective security agencies.

"I also pay tribute to the work of Sir Jonathan Evans, who has led the Service through challenging times of change and unrest, including in the aftermath of the 7/7 London bombings. His tireless work also helped ensure the delivery of a safe and successful Olympic and Paralympic Games last year."

The Cabinet Secretary, Sir Jeremy Heywood, said:

"I am delighted Andrew has been appointed as Director General of the Security Service, having been Deputy Director General since 2007. He brings his deep knowledge and experience of all aspects of the Service and its operations to this role and will be a great leader of the Service, working collaboratively with its partners. I look forward to working with him in his new role. I would also like to pay tribute to the outstanding way in which Jonathan Evans has led the Service since 2007 and I wish him all the very best for the future."

Commenting on his appointment, Mr. Parker said:

"It is a great honour to be appointed Director General of MI5. I am extremely proud of the extraordinary work that the men and women of MI5 do to keep the country safe in challenging circumstances. I look forward to leading the Service through its next chapter."

He will take up his post on Monday 22 April 2013.

Biography

Andrew Parker is a career MI5 officer with some 30 years of professional experience in a wide range of national security and intelligence work, including in the fields of Middle East terrorism, counter espionage, Northern Ireland terrorism, serious and organised crime, protective security, policy and strategic planning. He also completed a liaison posting in the United States in 1991.

He spent three years on secondment to HM Customs & Excise as Director Intelligence before returning to the Service in 2002 to join the Board as Director for Northern Ireland terrorism, Protective Security & Serious Crime. He was appointed Director International Terrorism in February 2005. Andrew led the Service’s response to the 2005 terrorist attacks in London overseeing the significant expansion in counter terrorism capability and the development of the Service’s regional network. In 2006, his teams played the lead role in the disruption of Al Qaida’s attempt to attack multiple airliners with bombs hidden in drinks bottles.

Andrew was appointed Deputy Director General of the Security Service in April 2007. As such, Andrew has been responsible for leading all the Service’s investigative and operational work.

Andrew, who is 50 years old, holds a degree in Natural Sciences from Cambridge University, and is married with two children. He enjoys the outdoors and is a keen ornithologist and wildlife photographer.