Leiths

Ansu Mary Alex is an emerging leader in sustainable construction materials, with expertise in materials chemistry, concrete technology, and environmental innovation. Her work focuses on developing practical low-carbon solutions that support the construction industry’s transition towards Net Zero.

Ansu is currently a Research and Development Associate within the Technical Services group at Leiths (Scotland Ltd), where she supports the development and deployment of low-carbon construction materials. Her role includes providing specialist materials chemistry expertise, overseeing testing programmes for supplementary cementitious material (SCM) blends, and supporting technical and operational activities linked to sustainable product development.

Alongside this, she is involved in overseeing CemLime data, monitoring Value Added Concrete Products (VACP) processes, and contributing to product quality, compliance, and performance optimisation. She is also supporting the establishment of the Highland Lime laboratory, assisting with equipment setup, workflows, and testing procedures to ensure reliable, standards-compliant operations.

A key part of her work involves digitising concrete mix designs, analysing conformity assessments, and monitoring embodied carbon to support data-driven sustainability targets. She also contributes to Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), strengthening lifecycle assessment and transparent environmental reporting across construction materials and operations.

Previously, Ansu worked as a Concrete Technologist at Moore Concrete Products Ltd where she developed low-carbon binder systems, alkali-activated materials, and alternative reinforcement solutions. She also created an ESG Matrix to assess environmental, social, and governance risks across operations and products.

Her contributions have gained national recognition. In 2026, she was named winner of the Sustainability Category for Professionals Under 30 at the UK Concrete Show. In 2025, she was a finalist in the KTP Innovation Awards, recognising her impact in bridging research and industrial application of low-carbon technologies. She has also been recognised as a Northern Ireland Climate Change Maker, featured in Belfast Telegraph’s 30 Under 30, and invited as a guest on sustainability and low-carbon concrete podcasts. Through her work, she continues to shape the future of low-carbon construction materials through innovation and technical expertise.

We are incredibly proud of Ansu’s achievements and the impact she is already making within the construction materials sector. Her dedication, technical expertise, and passion for sustainability continue to drive meaningful progress towards lower-carbon construction solutions, while also inspiring colleagues and the wider industry alike. As Ansu’s career continues to flourish, her recognition at both national and industry level reflects not only her outstanding professional accomplishments, but also her commitment to shaping a more sustainable future for the next generation.