Luke Anear
Founder & Executive Chairman (CEO until early 2025; succeeded by Kelly Vohs), SafetyCulture
Luke Anear is an Australian technology entrepreneur, founder of SafetyCulture, the workplace safety, inspection and operations platform behind the iAuditor app. A former private investigator, he founded the company in his Townsville, Queensland garage in 2004 and built it into a global technology unicorn.
Fast facts
| Role | Founder & Executive Chairman (CEO until early 2025; succeeded by Kelly Vohs) |
|---|---|
| Company | SafetyCulture |
| Sector | Workplace safety / operations software (SaaS) |
| Headquarters | QLD |
| In role since | 2004 |
Background
Former private investigator (1997-2004); founded SafetyCulture in his Townsville garage in 2004; built the iAuditor (now SafetyCulture) inspection platform used across 80+ countries; secured one of the largest capital raises for an Australian tech startup
Career timeline
- 1997Began a seven-year career as a private investigator, including workers' compensation surveillance
- 2004Founded SafetyCulture in Townsville, Queensland
- 2011Built and launched the iAuditor mobile inspection app as smartphones took off
- 2020SafetyCulture reached unicorn status, valued above US$1 billion
Notable
- Worked as a private investigator from 1997 to 2004, which exposed him to the human cost of workplace accidents
- Founded SafetyCulture in his Townsville garage in 2004
- Built iAuditor (later renamed SafetyCulture), a digital checklist and inspection app used worldwide
- Grew SafetyCulture into a global company with offices across Australia, the US, UK and the Philippines
- Led SafetyCulture to unicorn status, valued at more than US$1 billion
Frequently asked questions
What is Luke Anear known for?
He founded SafetyCulture, the workplace safety and inspection software company behind the iAuditor app.
What did Luke Anear do before SafetyCulture?
He worked for about seven years as a private investigator before founding SafetyCulture in 2004.
Where was SafetyCulture founded?
It was founded in Townsville, Queensland, in 2004.
Public profiles
Sources
- https://www.businessnewsaustralia.com/articles/leadership-reshuffle-at-safetyculture-as-founder-to-change-role.html
- https://innovationbay.com/podcasts/e79-luke-anear-safetyculture/
- https://safetyculture.com/about
- https://dynamicbusiness.com/leadership-2/entrepreneur-profile/stay-hungry-stay-humble-safetycultures-luke-anear-on-future-proofing-his-tech-company.html
- https://lawson.media/episodes/finding-traction-with-luke-anear-ceo-of-safetyculture
Last verified 2026-07-13. Professionally-public, sourced information only.