By Adenike Lucas

The Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson has confirmed the appointment of  Jeremy Fleming as the director-general of the  Government Communications Headquarters, GCHQ.

Robert Hannigan, the former director of GCHQ, Britian’s intelligence agency announced in January he was stepping down for family reasons.

In a statement released today, Mr Johnson named Mr Fleming who has been deputy director of MI5 since 2013, as Mr Hannigan’s replacement.

“I congratulate Jeremy on his appointment as Director of GCHQ at an important time for the service,” Mr Johnson said in the statement.

He said: “I know that he will continue the excellent work of Robert Hannigan in leading this outstanding organisation, when the skill and ingenuity of the UK intelligence community are critical to defending Britain from cyber-attacks, terror plots and other activities that threaten us and our allies.”

Mr Fleming who will resume duties around Easter said: “It is a great privilege to be asked to lead GCHQ as it approaches its centenary in 2019.

“The organisation has a distinguished past and an increasingly important role to play in keeping Britain safe in the digital age. From managing cyber risks posed by nation states to preventing terror attacks, keeping our children safe online and supporting our Armed Forces, the exceptional men and women of GCHQ operate on the new frontline of global challenges.

“I’d like to pay tribute to Robert Hannigan, who over the last few years has led GCHQ through the transformation of some of our most important national security capabilities.

“I look forward to building on his legacy and in particular, the role he has played in increasing the transparency of GCHQ’s crucial work and in expanding its cyber mission.