General Atomics

GFSL appoints Alistair Watters as CEO

GFSL has appointed Alistair Watters as CEO to lead support for the UK's prison service.



Image courtesy GFSL

Alistair brings over 20 years of experience leading at the highest levels in both the public sector and FTSE organisations. He brings a wealth of expertise and has a strong track record of delivering major business and technology transformations, in challenging and fast-changing environments.

Alistair is passionate about creating practical, sustainable solutions that work for everyone – stakeholders, employees and the people who rely on the services GFSL deliver.

Colin Allars, GFSL Board Chair, said: "We look forward to drawing on Alistair’s experience and leadership as GFSL navigates the opportunities and challenges ahead. We’re confident he’ll help us deliver on our commitments to the prison service and the teams that make it all happen.

Alistair’s career highlights include:

  • leading large-scale transformation programmes across technology and operations
  • designing and implementing Target Operating Models (TOM) for organisations with over 30,000 employees
  • building strong stakeholder relationships at all levels, including board engagement
  • leading cross-functional teams and delivering on international projects
  • overseeing CapEx budgets of up to £5.1 billion, driving efficiency and operational improvements

Speaking about his new role, Alistair said: "I’m thrilled to join GFSL at such an important time. The work we do supporting the prison service is critical and I’m looking forward to working alongside such a dedicated and passionate team.

"My focus is on making sure the Property Transformation Programme transition is as smooth as possible, for the prisons we serve, our employees and the new suppliers, while we continue to provide an excellent service to prisons. Together, we’ll ensure GFSL continues to deliver high-quality services and makes a real difference."
 

Related

Major drone incident could shut UK airport within five years, expert warns
Drone flying near commercial airplane
Major drone incident could shut UK airport within five years, expert warns
A major drone incident is “almost certain” to close a UK airport for a prolonged period within the next five years, according to a senior counter-UAS industry expert.
Aerospace Magazine

16 Oct 2026

Royal Navy deploys Merlin HM2 helicopters to protect UK nuclear deterrent
Image: MOD Crown Copyright/Royal Navy
Royal Navy deploys Merlin HM2 helicopters to protect UK nuclear deterrent
The Royal Navy has deployed four Merlin HM2s to Scotland to rehearse nuclear deterrent protection and demonstrate the helicopter’s advanced ASW capabilities.
Aerospace Defence

16 Oct 2026

Airport chiefs urge government to tackle business rates
Manchester Airport
Airport chiefs urge government to tackle business rates
AirportsUK chair Baroness Ruby McGregor-Smith has warned rising costs risk holding back future investment.
Aerospace

15 Oct 2026

British Army seeks new power technologies for drone-heavy battlefield
Ukraine military army drone
British Army seeks new power technologies for drone-heavy battlefield
The British Army is seeking to replace its legacy fuel-powered generators with silent electrical generation technologies and storage.
Defence

16 Oct 2026

Princess Royal opens British Army military dog facilities
HRH The Princess Royal opens British Army military dogs facilities at Kendrew Barracks in Rutland.
Princess Royal opens British Army military dog facilities
A new British Army facility for military working dogs - part of a wider £77 million investment in Kendrew Barracks - has been opened by HRH The Princess Royal.
Defence Events

16 Oct 2026

Spectra Group secures €13 million NATO contract for Comtech MTTS Troposcatter Terminals
MTTS
Spectra Group secures €13 million NATO contract for Comtech MTTS Troposcatter Terminals
A NATO ally has placed a €13 million order with Spectra Group for Comtech’s Mobile Transportable Transmission System (MTTS), which uses the Troposphere to provide high-bandwidth communications that are independent of satellites and resilient in GPS/GNSS-denied environments.
Defence Member News

16 Oct 2026

Viasat orders ALL.​SPACE Hydra MAX Terminals for Ka-band networks
ALL.SPACE Hydra
Viasat orders ALL.​SPACE Hydra MAX Terminals for Ka-band networks
Viasat has placed an order for multiple ALL.​SPACE Hydra MAX terminals approved to operate on Viasat's global NextGen Ka-band network, providing resilient SATCOM connectivity for defence and government users.
Defence Member News Space

15 Oct 2026

Cornwall Space Cluster launches £15k legal support programme for space SMEs
Goonhilly satellite near Cornwall Space Cluster
Cornwall Space Cluster launches £15k legal support programme for space SMEs
Cornwall Space Cluster has partnered with Stephens Scown to offer specialist legal advice to space businesses, helping them protect intellectual property, prepare for investment and support future growth.
Space

15 Oct 2026

ClearSpace selected to deliver UK’s first active debris removal mission
ClearSpace removing space debris
ClearSpace selected to deliver UK’s first active debris removal mission
The UK-led programme will remove two defunct satellites while creating specialist jobs, supporting supply chains and building capability in the growing in-orbit services sector.
Space

15 Oct 2026

Police officers risk accidental AI misconduct, watchdog warns
National Police Chiefs Council photo of police on duty
Police officers risk accidental AI misconduct, watchdog warns
The Independent Office for Police Conduct has warned that officers and staff risk misconduct investigations for inappropriate AI use.
Security

16 Oct 2026

NAD and CDS want accelerated capability as DSEI UK 27 launched
NAD and CDS launch DSEI UK 27
NAD and CDS want accelerated capability as DSEI UK 27 launched
As the National Armaments Director (NAD) and the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) launched DSEI UK 2027 yesterday, they said faster capability delivery, greater innovation and improved readiness are required to ensure the UK and its allies are suitably prepared for any future conflict.
Warwickshire Police turns to AI to review the quality of investigations
Chat with AI or Artificial Intelligence technology. Man touching chatting virtual with an intelligent artificial intelligence asks for the answers he wants. Smart assistant futuristic, Chatbot,
Warwickshire Police turns to AI to review the quality of investigations
An eight-agent system checks investigation records against policing standards, with officers retaining responsibility for decisions.
Security

14 Oct 2026