John Laing (businessman)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Sir John William Laing (1879–1978) was a British entrepreneur in the construction industry. He inherited his father John's building business – that is now known as John Laing plc – in the early 1900s.

A deeply Christian man, John William Laing gave the company its evangelical direction, which included pioneering ideas that nurtured staff, such as paid holidays and annual outings, in the early part of the 20th century.

When the company was on the verge of bankruptcy in 1909, he made a pledge to God: for every pound he earned, a significant percentage would be given away to charity. He stuck to this — when he died his possessions were valued at £371, despite the millions his family had made.

He retired from the business in 1957, was knighted in 1959 and died in 1978.

His sons William Kirby Laing and John Maurice Laing and his grandson Martin Laing continued the family business.

See also

References

  • Coad, Roy (1979). Laing: The Biography of Sir John W. Laing C.B.E (1879-1978). Hodder & Stoughton. ISBN 0 340 23985 9. 
  • Harrison, Godfrey (1954). Life and Belief in the Experience of John W. Laing C.B.E. Hodder & Stoughton. 

External links


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