Leadership

Donal O’Riain is a pioneer in low-carbon cement and a leading authority on the decarbonisation of the global cement industry.

An engineer by training, Donal has spent more than three decades in the building materials and cement sectors. He founded Ecocem in 2000 with a single purpose: to decarbonise cement, an industry responsible for around 8% of global CO₂ emissions. He recognised early both the scale of the challenge and the potential for innovation to transform the industry.

Over the past 25 years, Donal has built Ecocem into a leading European low-carbon cement technology business. The company has tripled revenues over the past decade to approximately €230 million in 2024, while its technologies have helped avoid more than 19 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions.

Ecocem’s breakthrough ACT technology is the result of more than a decade of research and development and is now being deployed in real-world construction at scale. ACT delivers up to 70% lower CO₂ emissions than conventional cement and is designed to be globally scalable and cost competitive, using existing infrastructure and processes. It has the potential to transform how the global cement industry decarbonises.

Donal is also a prominent advocate for policy reform that enables industry to decarbonise rapidly and competitively, while strengthening European competitiveness. He champions policies that reward emissions reduction, innovation and investment, and help lower-carbon technologies reach the market at scale.

Prior to founding Ecocem, Donal held senior positions with CRH, KPMG and Steetley/Redland. He is a University College Dublin graduate and recipient of the UCD Alumni Award in Engineering, recognising his entrepreneurial achievements in low-carbon construction.

Conor O’Riain is Managing Director and a member of the Board of Ecocem, a global leader in low-carbon cement technology. With a background in sales and marketing, he joined Ecocem in 2006 and has played a key role in building its European business and bringing low-carbon technologies to market.

Today, he is leading Ecocem’s next phase of growth, working with cement producers, major construction companies and industrial partners to scale technologies including ACT. With almost 20 years in the sector, Conor brings a distinctly commercial perspective to decarbonisation: how businesses can move proven innovation from the laboratory to industrial deployment, while delivering the performance, scale and economics needed for widespread adoption.

Conor was named a Global Slag Personality of the Year in 2025 and received the 2024 Grands Prix de l’Industrie award for decarbonisation in France. He also serves on the Board of NetworkIrlande, the French-Irish Chamber of Commerce.

“It feels good to get up in the morning knowing you are making a positive difference to the health of our World.”

Gavin O’Riain is Executive Director at Ecocem. He joined the business in 2017 and now manages the day-to-day operations across all business units with a particular focus on the drive to commercialise innovation technologies for the Group. He previously worked in international management and business development in the telecoms industry within emerging economies (EMEA & Latin America).

“Technology is what will change our industry and drive real reductions in emissions. At Ecocem I have the opportunity to help make that change a reality.”

Eoin Condren is Executive Director of Corporate Development and a member of the Board of Directors of Ecocem, where he leads corporate and financial strategy, funding, capital planning and international expansion.

Prior to Ecocem, Eoin spent more than 15 years in investment and corporate development in Europe, the UK and the USA. Eoin has worked across real estate, infrastructure and technology, raising and deploying capital, structuring complex investments and joint ventures, and scaling businesses. Before joining Ecocem in 2021, he held senior roles at W. P. Carey, VTS and U+I.

Eoin studied engineering and mathematics at Trinity College Dublin and holds an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

Garry is the Group Finance Director and joined Ecocem in 2009. Garry is a Chartered Accountant and responsible for all aspects of the groups financial management and reporting. Before he joined Ecocem, Garry worked for Veolia Transport (now known as Transdev) as a Finance Director for the Asia Pacific region and then as a Development Director for Germany.

“Ecocem’s mission to significantly reduce the CO2 impact of cement is very important to me. Being part of this team where everyone is motivated by this ambition makes a real difference to my working life.”

Olivier is Executive Director responsible for Strategy, Technology and Business Development at Ecocem. He joined Ecocem in 2022 and is responsible for overseeing all group strategy and development of new business with a focus on developing ACT, Ecocem’s ground-breaking low carbon cement technology. His focus is on partnering with the cement and concrete industry to accelerate the adoption of low carbon cement technologies and halve industry emissions by 2030.

Before joining Ecocem, Olivier held senior positions in LafargeHolcim (now Holcim Group) in France and Algeria, and led its cement operations in France from 2015 to 2021.

“The cement industry needs to decarbonise rapidly. At Ecocem we have the opportunity and the technology to work with the industry to accelerate this change.”

Roberta is Ecocem’s Director of Research and Innovation and is responsible for the company’s innovation pipeline, new product and technology development, and managing its dedicated innovation centre in Paris. She has over 20 years’ experience in R&I, market and application development at cement and constructions materials companies.

Before joining Ecocem, Roberta held several R&I roles at the at the CTG-Italcementi Group. Most recently she was Group R&D manager responsible for Mortars, Premix and New Cement-based Materials.

Roberta holds a Chemistry Degree, a PhD in Materials Engineering. In her career to date she has been responsible for over 26 patents and has written more than 20 scientific publications in the building chemistry.

“I saw the huge carbon challenge facing our industry and at Ecocem I have the opportunity to develop and deliver new low carbon solutions that can make a real difference.”

Micheál is Group Operations Director at Ecocem, responsible for strategic supply chain and procurement. He is particularly focused on Ecocem’s latest technology ACT. He joined the team in 2016 as Managing Director of the Irish and UK operations and three years later became Managing Director of Ecocem’s Northern European business. Most recently he was promoted to Group Operations Director, focusing on the operational best practice of all our locations across Ireland, UK, Benelux and France.

Previously Micheál spent fifteen years working in the construction industry. The opportunity to tackle the carbon challenge and make a real difference to the industry meant his decision to join Ecocem was an easy one.

“The ambition of our team to lead industry change from a carbon perspective is what makes Ecocem a great place to work.”

John Reddy is Director of Concrete Technology Deployment for the Ecocem Group. John is a third-generation concrete enthusiast and his first exposure to the world of concrete was at the age of three, helping his father who was a concrete technician.  He joined Ecocem in 2004 when the environment was only beginning to become a focus for the construction industry and over the last 20 years has seen the business evolve from a startup to become Europe’s leading low-carbon cement technology business.

John is a chartered Engineer and holds degrees in computer science, civil engineering and an MSC in Advanced Concrete Technology. He is a regular speaker at international symposia and has published several international research papers. John is currently Vice President of the Institute of Concrete Technology.

“I joined Ecocem as a start up with a mission I believed in and that remains true today. We have a real opportunity to make a positive difference to our world in the face of global warming. Ecocem has given me a tremendous opportunity over the years to grow, develop and contribute. The company culture, with its focus on innovation, development and commitment to local communities, is hugely important to me. Our values are present in all aspects of our work and after nearly 20 years I remain motivated and energised by the company’s success, mission, and ambitions.”

Christian Clergue is Ecocem’s European Standards Manager, responsible for ensuring the smooth transfer and implementation of our technologies and new products from R&D to our production facilities and to those of our partners and clients. Christian is driving our efforts to accelerate the standardisation process for our innovative low carbon cements and technologies, which will be instrumental in helping the industry meeting the 2030 decarbonisation deadline.

Christian brings deep expertise in cement and concrete materials, including low-carbon concrete, and in particular the regulations, standards and norms that govern the industry.

Christian Clergue holds a PhD in the physics of materials. Previously he held positions at VICAT Cement Group as Laboratory Head Manager, Precast General Manager, R&D Concrete Manager, Serge Ferrari as Head R&D Manager and most recently at EIFFAGE Genie Civil Group as Innovation Manager where he focused on carbon footprint reduction and the use of Eco Design to applied sustainable products.

“Ecocem has demonstrated its commitment to innovation and low carbon cement technologies for over twenty years. At a time when the industry is asking for urgent answers to the CO2 challenge, I am excited by the opportunity to make a real contribution to working with partners to make low carbon cement at scale a reality.”

Susan McGarry is Director of Public Affairs and Sustainability at Ecocem, where she leads the company’s engagement on sustainability, policy and regulation, working with governments, policymakers and industry to accelerate the decarbonisation of cement and construction.

A Chartered Civil Engineer, Susan joined Ecocem in 2011 and has held senior technical, sustainability and commercial roles across the business. From 2020 to 2024, she served as Managing Director of Ecocem Ireland.

Today, Susan works at the intersection of engineering, sustainability and public policy, bringing a practical industry perspective to the development of policies and standards that can accelerate the adoption of low-carbon construction technologies. Her work focuses on creating the conditions for proven innovation to move into the mainstream, from regulation and public procurement to industry collaboration and market adoption.

Susan is a recognised leader in sustainable construction and was named Overall Leader and Best Sustainability Leader at the 2025 Women in Construction Awards. She serves on the Steering Committee of Construct Innovate, Ireland’s national construction technology centre, and represents Engineers Ireland on the Sustainability Cross-Sectoral Action Committee within the Government’s Construction Sector Group.

Susan holds a Master of Engineering Management from University College Dublin and a Bachelor of Civil Engineering from Technological University Dublin.

“Working for a company with real purpose is essential for me. Ecocem’s determination to play a part in reducing the emissions of our industry is what drives me every day.”

Clive is Ecocem’s Group Project Director and joined Ecocem in 2013. He has over 30 years’ experience in the procurement, design, and construction of major projects. He is responsible for all aspects of permitting, design, procurement, and construction of Ecocem’s plants. He has delivered multiple projects for Ecocem, including the VRM plant at Dunkerque (France) and Roller Press at Moerdijk (The Netherlands).

Clive is a Chartered Engineer who qualified from Trinity College Dublin with a degree in Engineering and post graduate Diplomas in Project Management & Construction Law. He qualified from Duke University executive management programme in 2011. He is a regular lecturer on the Trinity College Dublin post graduate diploma in Project Management.

“I am passionate about solving problems and Ecocem’s mission to tackle the unique challenges presented by climate change.”

Gary is Ecocem’s IT Director and is responsible for the company’s group wide IT strategy. He has over 30 years’ experience providing leadership and IT solutions to organisations across a wide range of sectors.

Before joining Ecocem Gary held several senior IT management roles across sectors including Education, Manufacturing, Healthcare and Video Games. Most recently he was Regional Director of IT Governance with Pernod Ricard.

Gary holds a Computer Science degree, and a master’s degree in operations management.

“Great technology can deliver great results. Ecocem’s low carbon cement technologies can make a significant contribution to reducing CO2 emissions and our IT strategy is an essential part of making our ambitions for the cement sector a reality.” 

Maria is a recently appointed Director of People & Culture at Ecocem. After attaining a degree in Psychology, Maria worked in people-centred roles across a variety of industries before joining Ecocem in 2025. Maria’s role focuses on establishing the People & Culture department as a strategic partner of the business while growing individuals, teams and a positive working culture within the organisation.

Maria is a member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) in Ireland and alongside her team has been shortlisted as a finalist for their 2026 awards under the ‘Talent Management Strategy’ category. Maria is a champion of diversity, equity and inclusion in and out of the workplace and spends time volunteering with her local youth outreach programme in her spare time.

“It is a real privilege to be able to work in an organisation with such a strong mission and vision. Since my first day at Ecocem, the mission has been clear – we want to reduce global emissions. This is motivation enough, but I’m also fortunate to work with very kind and knowledgeable people that push me to grow personally and professionally.”

Paul is Managing Director at Ecocem, responsible for the company’s business outside France. He brings more than 25 years of experience across the chemicals, construction and industrial sectors, with a background spanning general management, operations, supply chain and commercial leadership.

Before joining Ecocem, Paul spent 18 years with Huntsman Corporation, where he held senior leadership roles across Europe, Africa and the Middle East, including responsibility for large international businesses and operations. That experience gave him a broad understanding of what it takes to run and grow an industrial business, from strategy and commercial performance to operations, M&A and building strong teams.

Paul joined Ecocem in 2021 and has since focused on expanding the business and building the organisation needed for its next phase of growth. In the Netherlands, this has included a major expansion of the site, adding significant capacity as well as the infrastructure and flexibility to produce new products and support the rollout of ACT.

More broadly, Paul’s focus is on taking Ecocem to the next level: building the team, strengthening the business and creating the organisation needed to scale. Central to that is working closely with customers and partners to turn Ecocem’s technology into practical solutions that can be deployed at scale and deliver meaningful reductions in cement emissions.

Paul studied Business Economics and Supply Chain Management at Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences.

“At Ecocem we are tackling one of world’s most difficult and important problems. Working as part of an agile team, change and innovation are expected if we are to succeed in reducing emission in the cement industry.”

Steve Bryan is Managing Director of Ecocem Americas, Ecocem’s North American operations. He is also responsible for business development outside of Western Europe. He joined Ecocem in 2013, bringing with him over 35 years of experience in cement operations, technology, global trading, strategic planning, and business development.

“Ecocem’s low carbon technology and products can make a real difference to reducing the cement industry’s emission globally.”