Alexandra Combes
What employment sector do you work in?
Public Sector
How long have you had a green job for nature?
1 year 9 months
Please describe the work that you do.
I lead ecological engineering across Scottish Water, integrating nature-based solutions into the planning, design and operation of our infrastructure. My work spans reservoirs, peatlands, and woodlands to protect water quality at source; sustainable urban drainage systems and constructed wastewater ecosystems to deliver treatment and resilience; and inland and coastal waters to manage ecological risk and improve environmental status.
What do you most like about your job? Any dislikes?
What I most like about my job is that it allows me to engineer with nature rather than against it, applying ecological understanding to deliver practical, resilient solutions across the water environment. The work addresses many of the industry’s challenges, particularly in water quality, climate resilience, and biodiversity, and it is rewarding to see nature-based solutions move from concept to delivery. The main challenge is that, in the United Kingdom, this remains an uncommon practice, which can make it a rare and sometimes lonely discipline with limited peer support. However, I see this as a temporary challenge and am hopeful that growing regulatory, environmental and climate drivers will bring wider recognition and adoption in the years ahead!
What inspired you into this career?
I was inspired to pursue this career because I believe strongly in working with nature rather than trying to control or replace it. I wanted to support this approach in a practical, evidence-led way within the water industry, where natural systems play a critical role in water quality, resilience and ecosystem health. Ecological engineering offered a way to combine environmental values with real-world delivery, allowing me to help shape a more sustainable and resilient approach to water, surface water and wastewater management.
Have you faced any challenges in progressing your career so far?
The biggest challenge I have faced is the lack of recognition and support for “green” engineers working on nature-based solutions compared to more traditional engineering disciplines. Because ecological engineering is still emerging within the UK water industry, roles, career pathways, and professional support are not always well defined, and the value of these approaches can be harder to demonstrate relative to established grey infrastructure solutions. This can make progress more challenging and, at times, isolating. Still, it has reinforced my commitment to building credibility, evidence, and confidence in nature-based solutions so that they are recognised as an integral part of mainstream engineering practice rather than as an alternative.
What education/training did you have?
I hold a BSc (Hons) in Civil Engineering and have completed additional professional training to support my specialism in nature-based solutions. Notably, the CIRIA SuDS training has strengthened my expertise in the design, delivery, and long-term performance of sustainable urban drainage systems in the water industry.
What advice would you give to someone coming into the profession?
Give it your best and believe in the value of your work. Nature-based and ecological engineering may still sit outside the mainstream, but it is becoming increasingly important. Connect with fellow engineers and practitioners, share experiences, and build supportive networks across disciplines. Don’t be discouraged by challenges or slow progress, and remember that we are not alone – the community is growing, and together we can help shape the future of engineering practice.
—
Tags: Scotland, Public sector, Environmental adviser, Freshwater/Catchment
Date profile submitted: 15/12/2025
Related Job Profiles
Rebecca Watts
Suzie Perkins
Naomi Diver
