Artwork by Ollie Spencer - Year 5 pupil at Thomas Walling Primary Academy, a Laidlaw Schools Trust school.

As the year draws to a close, we have a lot to remember and celebrate.

Laidlaw Scholars

One of the highlights of the year was the Annual Laidlaw Scholars Conferences. Hosted at Leeds University and co-hosted by Columbia University and Barnard College, the event brought together over 400 Scholars and Laidlaw programme managers from our 19 partner universities. Our scholars showcased their extraordinary research projects and Leadership in Action experiences while collaborating, connecting and honing their leadership skills.

The theme of this year's conferences was Curiosity. In a world grappling with complex global challenges, our scholars truly embodied the spirit of curiosity, pushing boundaries by engaging with opposing viewpoints, leading with questions and embracing diverse perspectives. 

This year, we celebrated 10-year milestones with Leeds University and the University of St Andrews. 

We were thrilled to welcome our first cohort of Imperial College London Scholars and announce our new partnership with university Duke University, which will be onboarding its first cohort next year. Additionally, we were excited to welcome the University of Oxford back to the programme, bringing their first cohort into their SDG Impact Lab. 

Another major highlight was the creation of the Laidlaw Scholars Advisory Board, which serves as a vital bridge between our Scholars and the Laidlaw Foundation. 

Laidlaw Schools Trust

In October, LST held its inaugural "Extraordinary Us" event. Bringing together 800 passionate educators, our founder, the School Improvement and Central Services teams, Governors, Trustees, and a lineup of truly inspiring guest speakers, the day was a celebration of who we are and all that we stand for.

Women in Leadership

This year, we welcomed our first Women in Business Scholars from HEC Paris and IE Business School into the Laidlaw community. We also celebrated a significant milestone: the fifth cohort of London Business School Laidlaw Scholars, bringing the number to 100 extraordinary women. We are honoured to support these remarkable scholars each year and are continually inspired by the impact they go on to make. 

We also welcomed our third cohort of Trailblazers. This year, one of our Trailblazers from the initial cohort became a Laidlaw Scholar, completing her research summer as an Undergraduate Scholar. We are thrilled to celebrate the achievement of a Trailblazer winning a place on the Undergraduate Scholarship Programme, a testament of our students' ambition and determination to make a positive impact in the world.  

Spaces 

In March, we committed to building a new Laidlaw research and innovation library at Trinity College Dublin's East campus. Set to open in 2027, the library will be Trinity's first stand-alone digital library, focusing on embracing modern and collaborative working and studying approaches. 

With thanks for all your support and best wishes for a wonderful 2025,

—The Laidlaw Foundation Team