Sir John Sawers will leave the Secret Intelligence Service in November at the end of his five-year term as Chief. The Cabinet Office will shortly begin the recruitment process to appoint his successor, and will announce the outcome later in the year.

An FCO spokesperson said:

Sir John Sawers will complete his five-year term at SIS this autumn. He has done an exceptional job as Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service. Sir John has spent 36 years in a range of jobs in public service, defending UK national interests and keeping our country safe.

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