Sir Alex Younger, MI6 chief from 2014-2020, dies at 62 after cancer treatment

Sir Alex Younger, who led Britain's Secret Intelligence Service from 2014 to 2020, died at the age of 62 after being treated for cancer. He joined MI6 in 1991 after serving as a British Army officer with postings in Europe, the Middle East and Afghanistan.

He headed counter-terrorism operations, including preparations for the 2012 London Olympics, before succeeding Sir John Sawers as chief in late 2014.

His term was extended by one year beyond 2019 to steer the agency through Brexit, The Times reported. In a 2016 speech Sir Alex Younger said fictional spy James Bond would not pass MI6's current recruitment process. In 2017 he revealed that the real head of gadgetry at MI6 was a woman.

During a 2018 speech at St Andrews University he called for a new generation of intelligence officers to meet the threats of the hybrid age. Sir Alex Younger's son Sam, aged 22 and a student at the University of Edinburgh, was killed in a motor vehicle accident on a private estate in Stirlingshire, Scotland, in early 2019.

After leaving MI6 he advised the private sector and commented on security issues.

In February 2023 he told the BBC the UK needed to wake up to threats from China. In December 2024 he told the BBC the world was living through a much more dangerous time than previous decades. In an interview published in late March he told The Economist that Iran appeared to have the upper hand in its conflict and that the US underestimated the task.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said Sir Alex Younger led an exemplary life and career and would be remembered for his utmost dedication to British public life and protecting the nation. Prince William said he was saddened to hear of the death of Sir Alex Younger, who embodied integrity, courage and an unwavering commitment to protecting the country and its people.

Britain has lost an exceptional public servant, Prince William said, and his thoughts are with Lady Younger and their family.

Baroness May of Maidenhead said she was deeply saddened by the death of Sir Alex Younger, described him as an extraordinary man and dedicated public servant, said they worked closely when he was chief of MI6 and remained friends, and that the nation owes him a great debt of gratitude.

Blaise Metreweli, the current chief of MI6, said Sir Alex Younger embodied MI6's values of integrity, courage, creativity and respect and made a lasting and distinctive contribution to the country and to global security. BBC Radio 4 presenter Nick Robinson said he was desperately sad to hear the news of Sir Alex Younger's death.

Nick Robinson said Sir Alex Younger nicknamed his tumour Putin.