Scot is appointed new director general of MI5

A Scot has been appointed as the director general of MI5, the security service has confirmed.

Ken McCallum, from Glasgow, succeeds Sir Andrew Parker, who has been in the role since 2013 and retires in April.

Mr McCallum is an MI5 officer with 25 years experience, who holds a maths degree from the University of Glasgow.

His first ten years at the service were focused on Northern Ireland-related terrorism, before moving on roles in countering Islamist extremism terrorism.

A period leading on cyber security followed and in 2012, Mr McCallum took charge of all counter terrorism investigations and risk management in the run-up to, and during, the London Olympics.

In 2017, he was appointed deputy director general with responsibility for all of MI5’s operational and investigative work.

Speaking about his appointment, Mr McCallum said: “MI5’s purpose is hugely motivating. Our people – with our partners – strive to keep the country safe, and they always want to go the extra mile.

“Having devoted my working life to that team effort, it is a huge privilege now to be asked to lead it as director general.”

Mr Parker said of his successor: “Ken will make an outstanding director general. He’s the right person to take MI5 forward and is already leading work to shape the future of MI5.

“He brings a wealth of leadership and national security expertise to the role, which is all the more important today as MI5 and the country deals with the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.”