Ms Anne Keast-Butler

Anne Keast-Butler is the Director of GCHQ, the UK’s Intelligence, Cyber and Security Agency. She was appointed in 2023 and is the 17th person to hold the role.

Prior to her appointment, Anne was Deputy Director General MI5. She was the Director General for all operational, investigative and protective security work. This has included MI5’s – and allies’ - preparation for, and response to, Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.

Immediately prior to this role, Anne was Director General Strategy, with responsibility for all the enabling functions that support MI5’s operational activities.

Prior to this, Anne spent two years on secondment to GCHQ as Head of Counter Terrorism and Serious Organised Crime, and has also spent part of the last decade on secondment in Whitehall. Whilst there, she helped to launch the National Cyber Security Programme.

During her thirty years in the national security field, Anne has held a number of key operational roles in MI5 and is a passionate advocate of diversity, flexible working and nurturing talent.