Hector Laing
Hector Laing, Baron Laing of Dunphail (12 May 1923 – 21 June 2010) was a British businessman.
Contents
Career
After graduating from university, Laing joined the Scots Guards in 1942; during World War Two he was a tank commander in northern Europe.
On his return in 1947, he joined the family business, McVitie & Price, as a director. After Mcvitie's merge with MacFarlane Lang, which created United Biscuits, Laing was appointed to the board, later becoming managing director of the group in 1964 and group chairman in 1972.
From 1973 until 1991, he was a director of the Bank of England.[1]
A huge Conservative supporter himself, United Biscuits were the party's major corporate donor in the 80's and Laing became an adviser and friend to Margaret Thatcher.[1] However, in May 2004, Laing was one of five Tory peers who signed a letter urging Conservatives to vote Ukip in the upcoming European election, he later said he should not have signed the letter and was allowed to stay a member of the Tories.[2]
Laing co-founded Per Cent Club in 1986 and was chairman of Business in the Community between 1987 and 1991.[2]
He was a director of Hakluyt's international advisory board The Holdingham Group Advisory Board between 1 Jun 1997-31 Dec 1998.
He passed away 21 June 2010.
Affiliations
- Long-serving member of the Court of the Bank of England,
- Director of Allied Lyons,
- Director of Exxon,
- Chairman of the Food & Drink Industries Council,
- President of the European Catering Association,
- Chairman of the Lambeth Fund from 1983 to 1997.[2]
Education
- Attended Jesus College, Cambridge.[1]
Awards
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 David Brewerton Lord Laing of Dunphail obituary The Guardian, 12 July 2010, accessed 26 September 2014
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Lord Lain of Dunphail The Telegraph, 27 Jun 2010, accessed 26 September 2014
