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| Founder | Irvine Laidlaw |
|---|---|
| Type | Philanthropic foundation |
| Website | laidlawfoundation |
The Laidlaw Foundation is an international philanthropic foundation focused primarily on education, scholarships and leadership development. It was established by Scottish businessman and philanthropist Irvine Laidlaw.[1]
The Foundation supports educational initiatives ranging from schools in the north-east of England to undergraduate research and leadership programmes and scholarships for women undertaking postgraduate business education.[2] Its programmes include the Laidlaw Scholars Leadership and Research Programme, the Women in Business Laidlaw Scholarship and support for the Laidlaw Schools Trust.
History
[edit]Laidlaw's educational philanthropy has included support for schools, universities and scholarship programmes. In 2008, the first academy associated with what became the Laidlaw Schools Trust opened in Newcastle upon Tyne.[3]
The Laidlaw undergraduate scholarship programme was established in 2014 with support from Laidlaw and the Foundation. The University of Leeds and the University of St Andrews were among the first institutions to offer the scholarships.[4][5]
The programme subsequently expanded to universities internationally. Institutions participating in the programme have included the universities of Oxford, Cambridge, Leeds, St Andrews and Toronto, as well as Imperial College London, Trinity College Dublin, Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.[6][7]
The Foundation has also developed scholarship programmes intended to increase women's access to postgraduate business education. Its partnerships have included London Business School and the University of Oxford's Saïd Business School. The Financial Times reported on Laidlaw-funded scholarships in its coverage of efforts by business schools to increase female participation in MBA programmes.[8]
Programmes
[edit]Laidlaw Scholars Leadership and Research Programme
[edit]The Laidlaw Scholars Leadership and Research Programme supports undergraduate students undertaking academic research and leadership development. Students complete a research project as well as leadership training and a practical leadership-in-action element.[9]
The programme began in 2014 and has expanded internationally through partnerships with universities in Europe, North America, Asia and the Middle East.[10]
In 2024, the University of Oxford announced a new Laidlaw undergraduate programme funding research and leadership projects for students.[11] Harvard College selected its first cohort of Laidlaw Scholars in 2026.[12]
Women in Business scholarships
[edit]The Foundation funds scholarships for women studying at business schools, with the stated aim of widening access to postgraduate business education.
London Business School operates the Laidlaw Women's Leadership Fund in partnership with the Foundation.[13] The Foundation has also funded MBA scholarships at Oxford's Saïd Business School.
The Graduate Management Admission Council includes the Laidlaw Foundation scholarships among scholarship programmes available to women pursuing MBAs and notes the Foundation's partnerships with business schools.[14]
Laidlaw Schools Trust
[edit]The Foundation supports the Laidlaw Schools Trust, a multi-academy trust operating schools in north-east England.[15]
Laidlaw's involvement in education in Newcastle predates the Trust. In 2005, The Guardian reported that he was funding a new city academy in the Scotswood area of Newcastle upon Tyne.[16]
The Trust has subsequently expanded to operate academies across Newcastle, Sunderland and County Durham.
University philanthropy
[edit]In addition to scholarship programmes, the Foundation and Laidlaw have funded educational facilities at British and Irish universities.
At the University of Leeds, Laidlaw provided £9 million towards the university's undergraduate library, which was subsequently named the Laidlaw Library. The library opened in 2015.[17]
At the University of St Andrews, Laidlaw and the Foundation contributed £4 million towards the Laidlaw Music Centre. The £12.5 million centre opened in 2022 and provides teaching, rehearsal and performance facilities.[18][19]
In 2024, Trinity College Dublin announced that a new research and innovation library at its Trinity East campus would be funded by a gift from the Laidlaw Foundation. Trinity described the project as an expansion of its existing relationship with the Foundation, which also includes participation in the Laidlaw Scholars programme.[20]
Organisation
[edit]The Foundation describes its principal focus as investment in education, including support for people from underrepresented and disadvantaged backgrounds and the development of leadership programmes.[21]
The current Laidlaw Foundation is registered in Geneva, Switzerland, under enterprise identification number CHE-470.031.315.[22] Irvine Laidlaw is a member of its foundation board.[23]
The organisation should not be confused with the separate Canadian Laidlaw Foundation, which was incorporated in Ontario in 1949 and operates primarily in Canada.[24]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ↑ "Trusts and foundations". University of Leeds. Retrieved 16 September 2026.
- ↑ "About Us". Laidlaw Foundation. Retrieved 16 September 2026.
- ↑ "About Us". Laidlaw Foundation. Retrieved 16 September 2026.
- ↑ "School of Law welcomes new Laidlaw Scholars". University of Leeds. Retrieved 16 September 2026.
- ↑ "About the Laidlaw Scholars programme". University of St Andrews. Retrieved 16 September 2026.
- ↑ "New scholarship will empower students to tackle the biggest challenges of our time". University of Oxford. 1 March 2024. Retrieved 16 September 2026.
- ↑ "In Brief: 15 Harvard Students Named Inaugural Laidlaw Scholars". Harvard College. 14 May 2026. Retrieved 16 September 2026.
- ↑ Moules, Jonathan (29 January 2021). "Why women are turning away from MBAs". Financial Times. Retrieved 16 September 2026.
- ↑ "About Laidlaw". Imperial College London. Retrieved 16 September 2026.
- ↑ "About the Laidlaw Scholars programme". University of St Andrews. Retrieved 16 September 2026.
- ↑ "New scholarship will empower students to tackle the biggest challenges of our time". University of Oxford. 1 March 2024. Retrieved 16 September 2026.
- ↑ "In Brief: 15 Harvard Students Named Inaugural Laidlaw Scholars". Harvard College. 14 May 2026. Retrieved 16 September 2026.
- ↑ "Laidlaw Women's Leadership Fund". London Business School. Retrieved 16 September 2026.
- ↑ "What are the top MBA scholarships for women?". Graduate Management Admission Council. 2026. Retrieved 16 September 2026.
- ↑ "Laidlaw Schools Trust". Laidlaw Foundation. Retrieved 16 September 2026.
- ↑ "Scotswood shows Tyne academic tide must turn". The Guardian. 12 October 2005. Retrieved 16 September 2026.
- ↑ "Laidlaw Library is 10 today!". University of Leeds. Retrieved 16 September 2026.
- ↑ "Laidlaw Music Centre". University of St Andrews. Retrieved 16 September 2026.
- ↑ "Laidlaw Music Centre hits the high note". University of St Andrews. 4 April 2022. Retrieved 16 September 2026.
- ↑ "Laidlaw Foundation to fund new research and innovation library at Trinity". Trinity College Dublin. 19 March 2024. Retrieved 16 September 2026.
- ↑ "About Us". Laidlaw Foundation. Retrieved 16 September 2026.
- ↑ "Laidlaw Foundation". Moneyhouse. Retrieved 16 September 2026.
- ↑ "Laidlaw Foundation". Moneyhouse. Retrieved 16 September 2026.
- ↑ "History". Laidlaw Foundation Canada. Retrieved 16 September 2026.