Captain (Ret.) Neil Watts

Neil served in the South African Navy for over 30 years as a warfare officer and nearly 20 years at sea. During his service, he was responsible for maritime operations in Africa and the counter-piracy strategy. He also served as the acting Inspector-General of the Navy and Commander of the Maritime Warfare School. He was appointed as the Maritime Expert on the UN Security Council Panel of Experts for North Korea in New York in 2013 for five years. He investigated sanctions evasion, illicit networks, tracking suspect vessels worldwide, and has the unique experience of having boarded several North Korean and North Korean-controlled vessels. He co-authored seven reports for the UN Security Council and authored the Maritime Sanctions Handbook for the DPRK.

Neil currently consults on maritime security, sanctions, and non-proliferation of both weapons of mass destruction and conventional weapons. He has an MA in International Security & Global Justice (Brooklyn College CUNY), a Nautical Science Degree from Stellenbosch University, and a graduate of the Military Academy, the South African Executive National Security Program, and the Joint Senior Command & Staff Course.

Neil is married to Siân, and they have been enjoying life in the harbor, which welcomed them with open arms in 2020. They have a daughter in Kentucky and a son in Alabama who come home to FFH for Christmas each year. His hobbies include sports, sailing, kayaking, and DIY. Neil and Siân attend Two Rivers Church and volunteer for the FFH Road Gang.

Neil has garnered extensive experience working with people from many diverse nationalities, cultures and backgrounds. Bringing people together, and developing synergy, combined with keen listening skills have played key roles in his work in the international domain. With a practical, calm approach to tackling challenges, he brings a great deal of experience in operational and contingency planning, project management, and budgeting that would be put to work for this community.

Neil intends to serve the Fairfield Harbour community in the following ways:

•   Supporting transparent communication and decision-making.

•   Being proactive in maintaining facilities and cost-effective long-term planning and community consultation for projects that enhance the community’s lifestyle, connectivity, and convenience.

•   Promoting harmony in the community, creating opportunities for neighbors to connect.

•   Ensuring fiscally responsible budgeting and revenue generation.

•   Being flexible and responsive to the needs of an ever-evolving multi-generational community.

His personal credo is “No nonsense, just common sense”—seeing things as they are and doing

things as they ought to be done.

Click to Read about Neil’s work on “Reinforcing National Ties through Multinational Cooperation”