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

From 66 aircraft to £62.9 billion: The extraordinary evolution of Farnborough International Airshow
Farnborough International Airshow
From 66 aircraft to £62.9 billion: The extraordinary evolution of Farnborough International Airshow
This week, Farnborough International Airshow celebrates 78 years since the first airshow took place. Here's how Farnborough has become a global marketplace for aerospace and defence... and what's next.
Aerospace Defence Space

8 Sep 2026

UK flights disrupted after NATS flight processing system failure
Heathrow Tower.
UK flights disrupted after NATS flight processing system failure
Departures from airports across the UK have been restricted after a technical problem struck the system used by NATS to process flights.
Aerospace

8 Sep 2026

CILT(UK) calls for coordinated UK airports strategy
Heathrow
CILT(UK) calls for coordinated UK airports strategy
In its response to the draft HENPS (Heathrow Expansion National Policy Statement) consultation, the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in the UK (CILT UK) has called for the transformation that has taken place across UK aviation to be recognised with a policy fit for all UK airports, not just Heathrow.
Aerospace

7 Sep 2026

From 66 aircraft to £62.9 billion: The extraordinary evolution of Farnborough International Airshow
Farnborough International Airshow
From 66 aircraft to £62.9 billion: The extraordinary evolution of Farnborough International Airshow
This week, Farnborough International Airshow celebrates 78 years since the first airshow took place. Here's how Farnborough has become a global marketplace for aerospace and defence... and what's next.
Aerospace Defence Space

8 Sep 2026

UK military to practise mobilising 95,000 veterans for war
Soldiers on patrol
UK military to practise mobilising 95,000 veterans for war
The UK will test how quickly it can recall and equip former military personnel as the MoD prepares its 95,000-strong Strategic Reserve for a potential major conflict.
Defence

8 Sep 2026

MBDA opens Poland missile facility as UK defence partnership deepens
MBDA facility Czosnow, Poland
MBDA opens Poland missile facility as UK defence partnership deepens
In an initiative that supports the UK’s commitment to reinforcing NATO’s eastern flank by bolstering Polish air defences, a new facility built with British expertise has been opened in Poland.
From 66 aircraft to £62.9 billion: The extraordinary evolution of Farnborough International Airshow
Farnborough International Airshow
From 66 aircraft to £62.9 billion: The extraordinary evolution of Farnborough International Airshow
This week, Farnborough International Airshow celebrates 78 years since the first airshow took place. Here's how Farnborough has become a global marketplace for aerospace and defence... and what's next.
Aerospace Defence Space

8 Sep 2026

SaxaVord secures £60m funding to expand its launch capability
SaxaVord Spaceport, Shetland
SaxaVord secures £60m funding to expand its launch capability
Operating the only licensed vertical launch spaceport in the UK, SaxaVord is looking to advance its launch capability with fresh funding from the UK Government and private investors.
Space

8 Sep 2026

UK unveils £7.8bn space strategy as threats in orbit grow
View of the UK from the International Space Station.
UK unveils £7.8bn space strategy as threats in orbit grow
The UK will invest more than £3 billion in military space capabilities under a new £7.8 billion strategy covering defence, security and connectivity.
Defence Space

8 Sep 2026

MBDA opens Poland missile facility as UK defence partnership deepens
MBDA facility Czosnow, Poland
MBDA opens Poland missile facility as UK defence partnership deepens
In an initiative that supports the UK’s commitment to reinforcing NATO’s eastern flank by bolstering Polish air defences, a new facility built with British expertise has been opened in Poland.
Chess introduces AI-enabled Low SWaP CHARM50
Low-SWaP-CHARM50
Chess introduces AI-enabled Low SWaP CHARM50
Chess Dynamics has expanded its Vision4ce CHARM portfolio with the introduction of its Low SWaP CHARM50, a new compact AI-enabled edge video processing module which supports growing demand for smart sensors, distributed sensing architectures and low-SWaP ISR applications.
UK firms exposed by simulated attacks on satellites, subsea cables and financial infrastructure
Lockheed martin cybersecurity
UK firms exposed by simulated attacks on satellites, subsea cables and financial infrastructure
How a new FCS exercise brought financial firms and the MoD together to gain a better understanding of modern threats to British financial services and how to better prepare.
Defence Security

8 Sep 2026