Lord Laidlaw on Ambition: A Q&A for Scholars
As we prepare to come together for this year's Ambitious conference, many of us are thinking about what ambition means for our studies, our careers, our Laidlaw journeys and the difference we hope to make. But have you ever wondered how Lord Laidlaw himself approaches ambition?
From building businesses around the world to competing at the highest levels of sailing and motorsport, and pursuing his commitment to education through philanthropy, Lord Laidlaw's ambitions have taken many different forms. So where did it all begin? What kept him going when things didn't work out? And what continues to drive him today?
Ahead of the conference, we put these questions and more to Lord Laidlaw. Although Lord Laidlaw had very much hoped to join us in London this weekend, he is sadly unable to attend. Instead, he has kindly taken the time to share his experiences, reflections and advice with us ahead of the conference.
Read on to discover what he's learned along the way, and perhaps find some inspiration and food for thought as you consider your own ambitions!
We are all just starting out on our leadership journeys. Where did yours begin, and when did you first realise you wanted to achieve something big?
I started being a leader as an undergraduate at Leeds University. While there, I was Grants & Welfare Secretary at the Union, Chair of a number of clubs, and Rag Week Transport Manager.
I always wanted to achieve something ‘big’ without any idea of what that might be. Some of this related to an (unspoken) competition with my father, who had built up the family textile business after the Second World War.
You have been successful in both business and sports. Can you share some of your most memorable achievements in each?
In business two successes stand out: expanding into the US, which initially was not successful. I persevered, changed the manager, moved myself to the US, and turned that around.
The second was the acquisition of two small exhibitions in Dubai. We eventually became the largest show organiser in the Middle East.
In sailing, my achievements include winning Swan World Cup in 1994, the Southern Cross Cup for Britain in 2005 (with a boat that started breaking up while crossing the Bass Strait), and being named the Yacht Club of Monaco’s Sailor of the Year in 2020. Still winning regattas and being a World Multihull winner at 83!
Too many wins in motor racing to recall individual races. Perhaps winning a three-hour race in Dijon, and competing many times in the Monaco Historic GP.
You had two businesses fail before your first big success, IIR, which became the world's largest conference and training company. How did you find the determination to try a third time, and what did you learn from the failures?
I was determined to build a successful business and knew that it was about finding the right product – and of course the right team to help me build it. There was never any question of finding a ‘job’.
IIR expanded to have offices all over the world. What drove you to keep growing the business rather than settling with a couple of successful businesses? After you sold IIR, you moved into sustainable energy. Why did you want to move to another industry, rather than doing what many rich entrepreneurs do and clone your original success?
I had developed a successful and profitable formula for succeeding in the conference business, so it became rather like expanding a franchise. Sometimes we expanded into countries that we shouldn’t have as the markets were too small. Being successful is full of mistakes; the important thing is to learn from them.
After selling IIR I had a non-compete for two years. But even then it was more interesting to close a chapter and try something new. Life should be thought of in chapters including retirement. Stop doing one thing and start a new chapter in your life.
How did your ambitions change over time, and when did you become interested in philanthropy?
I am not sure that my ambitions even now have changed or reduced at all! Now I am trying to build Laidlaw Schools Trust into a much larger group, mainly because I am certain that we can deliver better education to more young people than is currently happening in parts of the North East of England.
My father was always generous to people less fortunate than him, and he instilled into us that we should always be concerned about others. I have been very lucky in life and so it was natural to give back.
What made you choose education as the focus for your ambition to make a difference?
Can you tell me anything else that can make a larger difference in young people’s lives than a great education with great teachers? If so, I’ll look into it.
You own a wind farm in the US, and the Trump Administration is refusing to issue the federal permits you need. How do you stay committed to an ambitious goal when setbacks outside your control get in the way?
Small correction: it is 50% of what may be a 2GW wind farm (enough power for 1.3 million homes).
As we have developed this project it has proved to be a great site, able to deliver much-needed power to New York State via AC (and therefore faster than from other sites). Only one person stands in the way and he will be gone on January 20, 2029. Meanwhile we are progressing environmental, engineering, financing, community relationships and the other parts of the project excepting federal permitting.
In both car and yacht racing you have won a cabinet full of trophies. What sets you apart from other competitors, and do you think you are fundamentally more driven to win?
I really can’t say that I am ‘more driven to win than my competitors’. In both sailing and motor racing I have had lots of fierce competitors. Let’s just say that I like winning.
You know a lot of successful people in both business and sport. What are the most common character traits you see in them?
In any successful activity, you need a successful team. You cannot accomplish everything on your own. All successful people surround themselves with great teams who are as dedicated as they are.
For someone who is not naturally ambitious, how can they increase their ambition?
I am naturally ambitious so I am not sure I am the best person to ask but maybe by forcing yourself to take a role that you think is more challenging than you can presently do.