VOL 87 | FEB 2026
Our People, Our Strength
Keith Watts: Celebrating 25 Years of Service
February Birthday Wishes
This month, we’re proud to celebrate an incredible milestone - Keith Watts has been with Chess for 25 years! From his early days working on racing car simulators to supporting the mechanical team today, Keith has been an integral part of the Chess journey.
Alan Deller Alfie Hunt Chris Patterson Colin Berry David Wright Iqra Akram Jacqui Hunt James Covington Joanne Bates Katenaree Bourhill Liam Kelly Malcolm Cherrie Matt Hogg Matt Tripp Natasha Maynard Paul Comper Paul Holden Peter Smith Richard Newble Sean Friggens Valerie Hampshire Vincent Whittaker Vincenzo Corvino Wendy Bowman
When asked how it feels to reach 25 years, Keith laughs: "Quite amazing - I have no idea where all the time has gone."
Keith’s journey at Chess began through connections with the former Managing Director and Technical Director, with whom he had previously worked at Radamec Defence Systems. In November 2000, he was invited to help design a racing car simulator for McLaren - and the rest, as they say, is history. "Environmental commissioning of SAAB’s Sea Giraffe system stands out as a highlight," Keith recalls. Another point of pride is the design of the same system, a project that has continued successfully since 2002. Over the years, Keith has seen the company grow from a small team of just 10 people in Unit 7 of North Heath Industrial Estate to the thriving business Chess is today - a transformation that continues to impress.
With 25 years of experience comes valuable insight: "Don’t take anything for granted," he advises.
We are sad to say goodbye to...
For those starting their careers at Chess, Keith’s advice is simple but effective: "Introduce yourself to everyone in your department so that they can recognise you and support you when needed." These days, Keith focuses on supporting the mechanical team, sharing knowledge built over 25 years, particularly around IOTAs, Cobras, Scorpions, and SAAB Turntables. Keith’s 25-year journey is a testament to dedication, expertise, and the
Sam Melbourne - Horsham ILS Engineer
Nicola Adams - Horsham Commercial Contracts Manager
Luke Richardson - Horsham Senior Systems Engineer
relationships that make Chess such a special place to work. We’re proud to celebrate this milestone and look forward to many more years of innovation, collaboration, and shared success.
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