Building Beyond Compliance – Gary Keenan’s Story

At Carn Engineering, we believe that compliance isn’t the goal — it’s the bare minimum. That philosophy comes directly from our founder, Gary Keenan, whose career has been shaped by a relentless commitment to safety, integrity, and engineering excellence.

A Career Built on Experience

Gary is a Chartered Engineer with a BEng (Hons) from Queen’s University Belfast (2007). His professional journey spans more than three decades, beginning as a heavy plant fitter in marine civil engineering. From there, he moved into quarry management with one of the UK’s leading aggregate and blacktop producers, gaining first-hand experience in the operational challenges of large‑scale industrial environments.

His transition into the inspection industry marked a turning point. Starting as an engineer surveyor, Gary quickly rose through the ranks to become Chief Engineer, where he oversaw complex inspection programs and developed a reputation for meticulous attention to detail.

In 2022, he founded Carn Engineering to deliver inspection services that go beyond compliance and truly protect people and businesses.

Industry Leadership

Gary’s influence extends well beyond Carn Engineering. He is an active member of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) and the Bureau of Engineer Surveyors, and has played a pivotal role in shaping industry standards through his work with the Safety Assessment Federation (SAFed). His contributions include serving on the board of directors, the Technical Steering Committee (TSC), and the Technical Committee for Lifts & Cranes (TC2).

These roles reflect Gary’s dedication to advancing safety practices across the industry, ensuring that inspection standards evolve to meet the realities of modern engineering.

The Carn Difference

When asked what sets Carn Engineering apart, Gary often points to a simple truth: compliance alone doesn’t guarantee safety.

“I’ve seen health & safety programs that tick every box and pass every audit,” Gary explains, “yet people hesitate to speak up, risks remain hidden, and trust in the system is lost. Real safety requires more than paperwork — it requires culture.”

At Carn Engineering, that culture is built on:

• Understanding why safety matters — not just how to meet regulations.

• Identifying and addressing real risks — even when they fall outside the checklist.

• Empowering teams to act — reconfiguring processes when something isn’t right.

  
  

For Gary, a strong safety culture is about trust, problem‑solving, and showing up for customers in ways that make a real difference. Compliance is just the starting point.

Looking Ahead

Under Gary’s leadership, Carn Engineering continues to grow as a trusted partner for businesses that want more than compliance — they want confidence. His vision is clear: to build an inspection company that not only meets industry standards but raises them, ensuring safer workplaces and stronger customer relationships.

Gary is always keen to make new connections so feel free to connect with him on LinkedIn!