Alumnus appointed Director General of MI5

Published: 31 March 2020

Ken McCallum (BSc 1996) has been appointed Director General of MI5

Ken McCallum (BSc 1996) has been promoted to Director General of MI5. Originally from Glasgow, Mr McCallum is currently Deputy Director General and he has worked at MI5 for nearly 25 years. He has succeeded Sir Andrew Parker, who has been Director General since 2013 and retires in April.

Mr McCallum led counter terrorism investigations during the London 2012 Olympic Games and MI5's response to the attempted assassination of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal in 2018.

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"


First published: 31 March 2020