Scott Brownrigg has appointed João Cruz as Project Director within its Aviation Team, further strengthening the practice's capability to deliver major aviation infrastructure projects across the UK and internationally.

An experienced architect and aviation specialist, João brings more than 20 years' experience delivering complex airport, rail and transport infrastructure projects across Europe, the Middle East and North America. His career includes senior leadership positions at Weston Williamson + Partners (WW+P), Foster + Partners and Pascall + Watson, where he led multidisciplinary teams on large-scale projects from concept design through to technical delivery and construction.

João has built a reputation for leading technically complex projects within highly regulated environments, coordinating large consultant teams, managing critical stakeholder interfaces and delivering design solutions that balance operational performance, passenger experience and long-term growth.

Prior to joining Scott Brownrigg, João spent more than a decade at WW+P, where he played a leading role in the practice's aviation sector. His project portfolio includes Toronto Pearson Airport's Regional Transit Centre and New Terminal masterplan, as well as the Greater Toronto Airports Authority's (GTAA) Pearson LIFT Accelerator Programme, a major long-term initiative to modernise airport infrastructure, enhance passenger facilities and accommodate future growth.

His broader transport infrastructure experience includes leadership roles on Barcelona Airport Terminal 1 Satellite, Crossrail Liverpool Street Station and the HS2 Northern Route tunnel support facilities in Birmingham and the competition design for Solidarity Transport Hub in Warsaw.

Prior to WW+P, João worked at Foster + Partners on the expansion of Hamad International Airport (formerly New Doha International Airport), helping deliver a significant increase in passenger capacity ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Earlier in his career at Pascall + Watson, he worked on a series of airport developments and passenger experience enhancements at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted airports, including luxury retail environments, terminal refurbishments, capacity improvements and premium passenger facilities.

In his new role at Scott Brownrigg, João will work closely with Maurice Rosario, Director of Aviation, helping to lead the aviation team, provide design leadership across key projects and support the growth of the practice's aviation portfolio internationally.

Commenting on his appointment, João said: “Scott Brownrigg has established a strong reputation for delivering innovative and sustainable aviation solutions, and I am excited to join the team at such an important time for the sector. The opportunity to contribute to major aviation projects, including Heathrow West, while helping to shape future growth opportunities for the practice, is incredibly compelling.”

Maurice Rosario, Director of Aviation at Scott Brownrigg, added: "João brings an exceptional breadth of aviation and transport infrastructure experience gained on significant airport developments. His technical expertise, leadership skills and international perspective will be invaluable as we continue to grow our aviation portfolio and support our clients in delivering world-class transport infrastructure."

The team is currently working on Heathrow West, the alternative expansion proposal for Heathrow Airport being developed for Arora Group, which aims to deliver additional airport capacity through a more efficient, sustainable and cost-effective approach to expansion.