Mr Anthony Knutsen

Anthony Knutsen is a highly experienced safety compliance and assurance professional with over 14 years of expertise in the leisure and amusement industry. Currently serving as the Safety Compliance and Assurance Lead at LEAPS (Leisure Equipment & Asset Protection Scheme), Anthony plays a critical role in ensuring safety standards, compliance, and operational excellence across the sector.

Anthony is an active member of several industry standards committees, including the BSI Committee for BS EN 13814 Safety of amusement rides and amusement devices - focused on the safety of amusement rides and devices, the CEN Committee - responsible for European standards for the 13814, and the BSI BS EN 14960 Inflatable Committee, which oversees industry safety standards for inflatable play equipment.

Anthony began his career in engineering at the age of 21, inspired by his grandfather, a merchant navy engineer. Over the years, he has honed his skills across a wide range of technical disciplines, including mechanical and structural engineering, hydraulics, pneumatics, electrical systems, and non-destructive testing (NDT).

His work has included approximately 4,500 inspections of amusement and leisure devices, along with post-accident investigations and redesigns that have led to mandatory safety requirements across the industry. Anthony's contributions to safety standards and his development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Quality Management Systems (QMS) have established him as a respected authority in the field.

In addition to his work in the leisure industry, Anthony has extensive experience in the oil and gas sectors, having worked with major companies such as Total Energies, Siemens, Shell Oil, and ABB. His responsibilities included quality control inspections, contract audits, and compliance reviews.

Anthony collaborated closely with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), where he has trained inspection teams, delivered expert presentations, and conducted studies that have shaped industry safety policies. He has also supported regulatory bodies internationally, including the Dubai government, to ensure compliance with global safety standards.

Anthony’s commitment to improving safety standards has established him as a leading authority in compliance, regulatory enforcement, and operational risk management. His expert insights continue to influence international safety standards and best practices within the leisure and amusement sector.

Expertise

• Inspection processes to the leisure industry at multiple different levels.
• Design reviews, Conformity to design assessments, Initial testing and redesigns following serious / fatal incidents.
• Post incident analysis and investigation.
• Conducting studies and research into asset and operational risks within the leisure industry.
• Training lectures to industry stakeholders and regulators.
• Contributing to leisure industry safety standards,writing, interpretation and application.
• Safety policy, process and management systems.
• The application and interpretation of health and safety legislation and guidance in the leisure industry.