The Laidlaw Foundation invests in the education of the underprivileged and underrepresented in order to break the cycle of poverty, reduce inequality and develop a new generation of leaders. Our programmes include:
  • Laidlaw Schools Trust (LST): The Foundation established and continues to support strategically and financially the Laidlaw Schools Trust, a growing multi-academy trust in the North East of England. LST transforms the lives of children and communities through extraordinary education. Supporting over 5500 children across nine academies, it focuses on nurturing students from nursery to sixth form and is set to grow further.
  • Laidlaw Scholars Leadership & Research Programme: An international programme supporting undergraduate students at 17 top universities around the world, designed to develop a new generation of leaders who are skilled researchers, embrace data-based decision making, and believe it is a moral imperative to lead with integrity.
  • Women in Leadership Laidlaw Scholarships: Committed to promoting equal representation and power on both executive and non-executive boards, this programme has provided full and half scholarships to over 300 exceptional women at Columbia Business School, London Business School, and Oxford University’s Saïd Business School for their MBAs.
  • Laidlaw Trailblazers: Partnered with Trinity Access Programmes, this initiative supports women from lower socio-economic backgrounds in accessing higher education and career opportunities. The programme annually brings ten diverse women to Trinity College Dublin, many as the first in their families to attend university.
  • Laidlaw Scholars Ventures (LSV): A for-profit initiative investing in start-ups founded and run by Laidlaw Scholars. Backed by $50m, LSV accelerates Good Businesses by financing their growth, providing support services, delivering extensive training and development, and bringing a network of expert advisors and mentors to guide portfolio businesses.
  • Buildings: We help students, academic leaders and local communities connect, collaborate, learn and excel by re-inventing traditional libraries and learning spaces. The Foundation has funded the construction of the Laidlaw Music Centre at the University of St Andrews, and the Laidlaw Library at Leeds University. Most recently, we completed the Teaching and Leadership Centre at Sedgefield Community College, an ‘Outstanding’ teaching school within the Laidlaw Schools Trust.