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

Doncaster Sheffield Airport orders multimillion-pound RTX radar ahead of reopening
DSA runway.
Doncaster Sheffield Airport orders multimillion-pound RTX radar ahead of reopening
This significant investment in new radar technology marks an important step in the development of the airport's infrastructure prior to its planned reopening.
Aerospace Member News

13 Aug 2026

Who pays for Heathrow’s third runway before it is built?
Heathrow third runway
Who pays for Heathrow’s third runway before it is built?
Heathrow can recover up to £320m in early third runway costs through airport charges. Here’s who pays and what happens if the expansion is cancelled.
Aerospace Most Read

13 Aug 2026

Extreme space weather could disrupt flights and damage aircraft systems, study warns
The sun earth connection
Extreme space weather could disrupt flights and damage aircraft systems, study warns
University of Surrey researchers warn that extreme space weather could increase radiation exposure and trigger faults in aircraft electronics.
Aerospace Most Read Space

12 Aug 2026

Royal Navy proves quantum timing can sustain radar networks without GNSS
aab UK, Aquark Technologies and Royal Navy Disruptive Capabilities and Technologies Office (DCTO) have successfully completed a UK trial showing how a military radar network can continue operating without GPS timing.
Royal Navy proves quantum timing can sustain radar networks without GNSS
A Royal Navy trial has shown how quantum timing can keep separate military radars synchronised and sharing an accurate air picture without GPS timing.
Defence Most Read

13 Aug 2026

StandardAero wins major UK role building engines for New Medium Helicopter
Leonardo AW149 flying at sunset
StandardAero wins major UK role building engines for New Medium Helicopter
StandardAero’s Gosport facility will build, maintain and overhaul the engines for Britain’s new AW149 helicopter fleet, securing a significant UK workshare in the New Medium Helicopter programme and opening the door to future export work.
Wargaming prompts changes to Royal Navy’s future minehunting motherships
Type 26 Anti submarine Frigate
Wargaming prompts changes to Royal Navy’s future minehunting motherships
How the Royal Navy is wargaming the Norwegian-designed OSVs and how the games suggest they will need some adjustments for British requirements.
Defence

13 Aug 2026

Extreme space weather could disrupt flights and damage aircraft systems, study warns
The sun earth connection
Extreme space weather could disrupt flights and damage aircraft systems, study warns
University of Surrey researchers warn that extreme space weather could increase radiation exposure and trigger faults in aircraft electronics.
Aerospace Most Read Space

12 Aug 2026

ADS Charity Cycle takes to the road for 350-mile Belfast to Bristol challenge
ADS Charity Cycle Ride group photo
ADS Charity Cycle takes to the road for 350-mile Belfast to Bristol challenge
ADS members are taking on a five-stage, 350-mile charity cycle from Belfast to Bristol, raising money for three causes while connecting colleagues and showcasing industry along the route.
HydroGNSS becomes first ESA Scout mission to complete in-orbit commissioning
HydroGNSS coherent channel detecting surface water at a high resolution, even when under a vegetation canopy.
HydroGNSS becomes first ESA Scout mission to complete in-orbit commissioning
Designed, built and operated by Surrey Satellite Technology (SSTL) for ESA, the HydroGNSS satellites are now able to provide data to researchers worldwide.
Member News Space

11 Aug 2026

UK manufacturers found to be facing extensive cyber threats
Manufacturing cyber security.
UK manufacturers found to be facing extensive cyber threats
A new report from Make UK outlines the true extent of the risks of cyber attacks faced by manufacturing businesses across Britain.
Security

12 Aug 2026

How the Royal Navy is developing its next-generation mine hunting capability
Mines float on the waves in the sea 3d illustration
How the Royal Navy is developing its next-generation mine hunting capability
A major collaborative effort to design and implement an innovative test of UK underwater mine countermeasures is set to inform and enhance future operations.
Defence Security

12 Aug 2026

AXA XL’s S-RM acquisition puts UK manufacturing cyber resilience in focus
IT technician checks cyber security in the office
AXA XL’s S-RM acquisition puts UK manufacturing cyber resilience in focus
AXA XL’s acquisition of UK cyber consultancy S-RM comes as manufacturers face growing pressure to strengthen prevention, incident response and supply chain resilience.
Security

11 Aug 2026