Andy obtained both his MChem and DPhil degrees at the University of Oxford (Christ Church, 1998-2006), with the latter completed under the supervision of Professor Dermot O’Hare. He subsequently held a postdoctoral position in the O'Hare group (2006-2008), where he investigated aspects of organometallic permethylpentalene (Pn*) chemistry, ranging from the unusual electronic and magnetic behaviour exhibited by transition metal complexes of this ligand to catalytic applications for living α-olefin polymerisation.

In October 2008, he was awarded a Junior Research Fellowship at Balliol College, Oxford whereupon he embarked upon an independent research theme investigating homogeneous methods for the conversion of CO₂ to hydrocarbon fuels. During this time he discovered a non-metal mediated route to the synthesis of methanol from CO₂ and H₂ mixtures. In 2010, he finally left the ‘City of Dreaming Spires’ and arrived in London as both an Imperial College Junior Research Fellow and non-stipendiary Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 Research Fellow.

While at Imperial he was awarded a Royal Society University Research Fellowship in 2013, and in 2015 was awarded the 2015 BASF catalysis award; presented every year to an outstanding young researcher in the field of catalysis, past recipients include Tobias Ritter and Melanie Sanford. He was promoted to Senior Lecturer in 2017.