Former director of British intelligence MI6 Alex Younger. Biography

Alex Younger is a British statesman, a career intelligence officer who headed the British Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) from 2014 to 2020. Under his leadership, the agency carried out activities in the context of changing global threats and digital transformation of intelligence. About the life and professional career of the former chief of British intelligence — in the material "Izvestia".

Early years and education

Younger was born on July 4, 1963 in the United Kingdom. He graduated from St. Andrews University in Scotland, where he majored in economics. After graduating from university, Younger began a military career. He served in the British Army, where he held the rank of captain. His service was associated with The Royal Scots regiment.

Career in intelligence

Younger's professional career in the Secret Intelligence Service (SIS/MI6) began in the early 1990s. For more than 20 years, he has held various positions in the operational departments of the department. Younger's work included long-term business trips abroad, including to the countries of the Middle East and Europe. In 2014, he was appointed head of MI6, succeeding John Sawyers. Younger became one of the few heads of the service whose term of office was extended by the government to ensure stability during the period of Britain's withdrawal from the European Union (Brexit). He officially left his post in 2020.

Awards and later years

For his many years of service in the interests of national security and his contribution to the development of British intelligence, Younger was awarded the British state Awards. His work as Director of MI6 was noted by the country's leadership as a period of effective counteraction to international terrorism and cyber threats. After retiring from the post of director of MI6 in 2020, Alex Younger moved to work in the private sector and the expert environment. The former head of MI6 died on June 3 at the age of 63. Younger worked in British intelligence for almost 30 years. He has held various positions in Europe and the Middle East. Younger was also the head of MI6 in Afghanistan.