Who We Are
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Who We Are
The Secret Intelligence Service (SIS) was established in 1909 as the Foreign Section of the Secret Service Bureau. The Foreign Section's responsibility for overseas intelligence collection has been retained ever since by SIS under a variety of names and acronyms. This responsibility was placed on a statutory basis in the Intelligence Services Act 1994.
SIS contributes to the larger inter-departmental national intelligence community, where it works closely with the other two British intelligence and security agencies, Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) and the Security Service.
Statutory Basis
Until 1994 SIS did not have a statutory basis and its existence was not publicly confirmed before it was formally avowed in 1992. The Service was put on a statutory basis with the Intelligence Services Act (ISA) 1994.
Key elements of the ISA for SIS are that it:
- defined SIS functions and responsibilities
- gives the Foreign Secretary authority over SIS
- establishes Parliamentary, Ministerial and legal oversight arrangements
Chief of SIS
SIS is headed by Sir John Scarlett, known as the Chief of SIS or 'C' (after the first Chief, Mansfield Cumming who signed himself 'C'). Sir John took up his post in August 2004. The Chief is the only serving member of the Service who is officially named in public. He is appointed by, and is accountable to, the Foreign Secretary. The Chief is responsible for the control of SIS's operations and for the efficiency of the Service. He has a duty to ensure that all SIS actions are consistent with its statutory functions. He makes an annual report on the work of SIS to the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary.
SIS HQ
SIS HQ has been at Vauxhall Cross since 1994. The distinctive building is a well known London landmark designed by the architect Terry Farrell. Photographs of it appear throughout this site. It replaced Century House in Lambeth.
