Laing Family Trusts

**The Laing Family Trusts** The Laing Family Trusts owe their origin to Sir John Laing, a devout Christian and founder of the international construction company. The company was involved in many pioneering projects, including the construction of the Second Severn Crossing. Successive generations of the Laing family have built on Sir John’s example of Christian philanthropy. The four grant-making trusts which are administered under the umbrella of the Laing Family Trusts are: the [Beatrice Laing Trust](https://www.laingfamilytrusts.org.uk/about-us/beatrice-laing-trust/), the [Kirby Laing Foundation,](https://www.laingfamilytrusts.org.uk/about-us/kirby-laing-foundation/) the [Martin Laing Foundation](https://www.laingfamilytrusts.org.uk/about-us/martin-laing-foundation/) and the [Maurice & Hilda Laing Charitable Trust](https://www.laingfamilytrusts.org.uk/about-us/maurice-hilda-laing-charitable-trust/). Sir John’s Christian faith was the motivation for the company’s pioneering concern for the welfare of its staff. Today, the giving of the Laing Family Trusts reflects the values espoused by Sir John, seeking to: - promote Christian faith and values - care for those in need - encourage young people to realise their potential (especially, but not exclusively, in the field of science and engineering and through Christian youth activities) The Laing Family Trusts’ logo, based on a bridge, reflects the Laing family’s roots in civil engineering. Support provided by the Trusts is intended to help build bridges between church and community, make connections between different faith communities, and reduce the divide between the advantaged and the disadvantaged. **About us** * * * **The Laing Family Trusts are a group of four grant-making trusts ([Beatrice Laing Trust](https://www.laingfamilytrusts.org.uk/about-us/beatrice-laing-trust/), [Kirby Laing Foundation](https://www.laingfamilytrusts.org.uk/about-us/kirby-laing-foundation/), [Maurice & Hilda Laing Charitable Trust](https://www.laingfamilytrusts.org.uk/about-us/maurice-hilda-laing-charitable-trust/) and [Martin Laing Foundation](https://www.laingfamilytrusts.org.uk/about-us/martin-laing-foundation/)) sharing a single administration.** * * * The first of the Trusts was established by Sir John Laing in 1952. A builder by trade, Sir John was responsible for moving the family firm from Carlisle to London, where it grew into a global construction company, John Laing plc. Sir John was a devout Christian and member of the Brethren Movement; his Christian faith was the motivation for the Company’s pioneering concern for the welfare of its staff and the establishment of the first of his grant-making trusts, the J W Laing Trust, which is now administered by the Stewards Company in Bath. Successive generations of the Laing family have built on this example of Christian philanthropy, establishing their own charitable trusts and foundations. Four of the family’s charitable trusts, the Beatrice Laing Trust, the Kirby Laing Foundation[,](https://www.laingfamilytrusts.org.uk/about-us/kirby-laing-foundation/) the Maurice & Hilda Laing Charitable Trust and the Martin Laing Foundation, are administered under the umbrella of the *Laing Family Trusts*. Grants are made by the individual trusts, each of which is an independent legal entity with its own separate and autonomous board of trustees. While each follows its own decision-making processes, the Laing Family Trusts’ umbrella provides for economies of scale, with an application to one accepted as an application to all. The Trusts are members of the [Association of Charitable Foundation](https://www.acf.org.uk/) and [The Christian Funders' Forum.](https://christianfundersforum.org/) The Trusts are a sponsor of the annual Christian Funders' Forum Awards.