Admiral Marian Hargreaves was a British naval officer and intelligence official who succeeded Miles Messervy as the head of the 00 Section of the Secret Intelligence Service, operating under the codename "M" from 1981 until his retirement before the early 1990s. A stern, highly disciplined officer with little tolerance for recklessness, Hargreaves led the 00 Section during the late Cold War.
Biography[]
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Born in Swanange in 1921, Hargreaves joined the Royal Navy as a cadet and served through World War II and into the Cold War, rising to the rank of Vice Admiral. Known for his naval precision and formal demeanor, he commanded several destroyers during the Battle of the Atlantic and later oversaw naval intelligence operations in the Mediterranean. His record earned him numerous commendations, including the Atlantic and Africa Stars.
After the war, he was assigned to a joint Naval-Intelligence task force and became liaison to MI6 during operations involving the Soviet Baltic Fleet. By 1977, Hargreaves commanded British forces during the Liparus incident
Appointment as M[]
Following the death of Sir Miles Messervy in 1981, Hargreaves was appointed to head the 00 Section and assumed the traditional title of "M." Though he had retired from the Royal Navy at the rank of Vice Admiral, he returned to active duty in the intelligence community commissioned as a Rear Admiral for budgetary and administrative parity within Whitehall structures.
Though less personable than his predecessor, Hargreaves was every bit as respected. He was known for his rigid protocols, a dry sense of humour (which surfaced rarely), and a sharp intellect that made him a formidable figure both inside MI6 and within Cabinet briefings.
During his tenure, he clashed frequently with the increasingly independent and unorthodox 007. Hargreaves had no tolerance for what he called “cowboy tactics,” yet he allowed Bond considerable leeway in the field when the situation demanded it. Despite their differences, he recognised Bond’s effectiveness and stopped MI6 operatives from firing on him during his rogue mission in 1989.
In 1983, Hargreaves briefed Bond on a smuggling ring involving counterfeit Fabergé eggs and a rogue Soviet general. After initially reprimanding Bond for escalating the auction price, he later authorised 007 to pursue leads in India and East Berlin, revealing strategic cooperation with NATO allies.
In 1985, Hargreaves authorised investigation into Max Zorin after MI6 determined he was involved in intellectual property theft related to microchip design. M showed visible irritation with Bond's recklessness in Paris and criticised the diplomatic fallout.
In 1987, Hargreaves oversaw a 00-Section field training operation in Gibraltar. He ordered Bond to assassinate Soviet General Leonid Pushkin, but was willing to defer to Bond's judgment when the mission's validity was questioned. Hargreaves expressed disappointment but recognised Bond’s instincts.
In 1989, Hargreaves revoked Bond’s 00 status after he went rogue to avenge CIA operative Felix Leiter. Despite chastising Bond for abandoning a sanctioned mission, M showed private concern and halted pursuit when Bond escaped. Bond was later reinstated at Hargreaves’ discretion following the successful neutralisation of Franz Sanchez.
Retirement and Succession[]
By the early 1990s, Hargreaves had retired from active service and intelligence leadership. His successor, a former Treasury official, Olivia Mansfield was appointed in 1995, shortly before the GoldenEye incident. The new M referred to her predecessor as having had a fondness for cognac and serving as a mentor.
His official portrait, hangs in the agency's London headquarters.
Awards & Decorations[]
- Atlantic Star – Service in the Atlantic theatre during WWII
- Africa Star – Participation in North African campaigns
- Defence Medal – UK non-operational WWII service
- War Medal 1939–1945 – General WWII service
- Distinguished Service Order (DSO) – For meritorious combat leadership