Oliver Mace is Chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee a position that gives him authority over all aspects of British intelligence gathering. As such he is frequently called in to resolve disputes between services or to investigate alleged improprieties. Prior to being promoted to the Chairman's position he was an MI6 officer. He held the position of Chairman until being forced to resign in the 5th episode of the 5th series, over the covert transfer of seven terror suspects from a prison in England to a location in Egypt where they could be illegally tortured.