Growing Binnies’ Solutions by Nature service
Binnies is delighted to welcome Andy McConnachie, who joined the business on 2 March as Binnies’ Solutions by Nature director, bringing more than 20 years of experience delivering practical, nature-based solutions across the UK.
Andy will lead and grow Binnies’ Solutions by Nature service, setting the strategic direction for the business while overseeing the safe, high-quality delivery of projects across the portfolio. His role spans technical leadership, commercial and resource management, client engagement and business development, ensuring Solutions by Nature continues to deliver strong outcomes for clients while building a sustainable pipeline of future work.
Andy’s specialist expertise lies in nature-based solutions and natural flood management, particularly at catchment scale within the water sector. His work encompasses river and wetland restoration, slowing flows, improving water quality and preventing soil erosion, with a strong focus on integrated constructed wetlands. These schemes harness natural processes, local materials and multidisciplinary expertise to provide resilient, low-carbon alternatives to traditional grey infrastructure. Andy is passionate about demonstrating their value through monitoring, data and evidence-led case studies.
This approach is underpinned by a strong academic and professional background. Andy holds a master’s degree in land and ecological restoration from the University of Plymouth, awarded with Distinction, alongside chartered credentials (C.WEM, CEnv, CMgr), reflecting his commitment to environmental stewardship and experience in leading people, managing change and building high-performing teams.
What sets Andy apart is his whole-life-cycle experience
Much of his career has been spent on-site, often in remote and environmentally sensitive locations, delivering restoration projects. From mobilising specialist plant and working sustainably with local timber and soils to collaborating with landowners, farmers, regulators and conservation bodies, Andy brings an end-to-end understanding of how nature-based solutions can be designed, built and maintained. This capability strengthens Binnies’ offering by bridging the gap between consultancy and construction.
Since joining Binnies, Andy has been struck by the culture and depth of expertise across the team. He describes feeling genuinely welcomed and supported, with a strong emphasis on collaboration and knowledge-sharing across ecology, hydrology, geomorphology and engineering. Looking ahead, he is excited to help grow Solutions by Nature within the water sector, with potential longer-term opportunities across critical infrastructure.
Outside work, Andy’s connection to the natural environment runs deep. From sea swimming and bodyboarding to running, cycling and CrossFit, he spends as much time outdoors as possible.