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

UK aerospace R&D returns £14 for every £1 invested says ATI
ATI Group shot
UK aerospace R&D returns £14 for every £1 invested says ATI
Sustained investment in research and development, innovation, skills and advanced manufacturing is helping strengthen the sector’s international competitiveness.
Aerospace

27 Aug 2026

First Islander from reshored Britten-Norman production line begins ground testing
Britten Norman UK built islander starts ground tests
First Islander from reshored Britten-Norman production line begins ground testing
The aircraft is expected to fly for the first time in September before being delivered to the Falkland Islands Government Air Service.
Aerospace

27 Aug 2026

Manchester Airports Group reports cyber security incident
Manchester Airport
Manchester Airports Group reports cyber security incident
Manchester Airports Group has reported a cyber security incident involving customer data, amid growing concern over cyber attacks in the UK.
Aerospace Security

27 Aug 2026

Cadets are helping young people build skills for life
Calvin Bailey MBE MP, Minister for Veterans and People at RAF Waddington
Cadets are helping young people build skills for life
Ahead of the UK’s inaugural National Cadets Week, adult volunteers and cadets across Lincolnshire and Essex are developing activities to help young people gain the skills that will stand them in good stead, whatever they choose to do in life.
Defence

27 Aug 2026

Royal Navy commanders receive advanced synthetic training in record time
UK Commando Force
Royal Navy commanders receive advanced synthetic training in record time
Delivered almost a year ahead of schedule, the Maritime Command and Staff Trainer (MCAST) is providing Royal Navy commanders with a virtual synthetic training system to run complex command, staff and operational exercises.
Defence Member News

27 Aug 2026

The Hawk was built in Britain. Its replacement may only be assembled here
Hawk T1 Jet
The Hawk was built in Britain. Its replacement may only be assembled here
Foreign-designed trainers are competing for the RAF requirement, leaving the UK to decide whether final assembly provides enough jobs, skills and sovereignty.
Defence

27 Aug 2026

Scottish space tech to power self-consuming rocket engine
Alpha Impulsion
Scottish space tech to power self-consuming rocket engine
Aurora Avionics is to supply crucial electronic systems that will deliver key electrical power functions for a pioneering new rocket engine, that aims to cut propulsion costs and support next-generation spacecraft.
Space

27 Aug 2026

STFC reveals latest Ernest Rutherford Fellows
space nebula
STFC reveals latest Ernest Rutherford Fellows
Backed by an investment of £6 million, seven early-career physicists have been awarded Ernest Rutherford Fellowship’s by the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), supporting research, from the search for dark matter to the physics of black holes.
Space

25 Aug 2026

Austrian ENPULSION moves to acquire UK space propulsion specialist Lift Me Off
Enpulsion space propulsion manufacturer buys UK company lift me off
Austrian ENPULSION moves to acquire UK space propulsion specialist Lift Me Off
Austrian spacecraft propulsion manufacturer ENPULSION has agreed to acquire British specialist Lift Me Off, bringing together electric and chemical propulsion capabilities in a deal that will require UK Government approval.
Member News Space

21 Aug 2026

Manchester Airports Group reports cyber security incident
Manchester Airport
Manchester Airports Group reports cyber security incident
Manchester Airports Group has reported a cyber security incident involving customer data, amid growing concern over cyber attacks in the UK.
Aerospace Security

27 Aug 2026

Why the role of dogs in security is misunderstood
Sniffer dog
Why the role of dogs in security is misunderstood
The role of dogs and their use within today's security sector is often not fully appreciated, including their extraordinarily unique capabilities - which even the most sophisticated new technologies cannot match - and their incredibly selfless bravery.
Member News Security

27 Aug 2026

Cellebrite reveals ruggedised C-TEK forensics field kit
Soldiers on patrol
Cellebrite reveals ruggedised C-TEK forensics field kit
With its portable forensics field kit, Cellebrite has brought together rugged hardware and software to allow mission-critical data and intelligence to be captured and actioned in the field, enabling forward-deployed teams to quickly triage data from phones, SIM cards, drones and portable media to advance their mission advantage.