Hector Laing, Baron Laing of Dunphail

Who was Hector Laing, Baron Laing of Dunphail?

Hector Laing, Baron Laing of Dunphail FRSE, FRSA was a British businessman.

The son of Hector Laing and Margaret Norrie Grant was educated at the Loretto School in Musselburgh and Jesus College, Cambridge. Laing served as a tank commander in the Scots Guards between 1942 and 1947, and reached the rank of a Captain. He was Mentioned in Despatches and awarded the US Bronze Star during campaign in France in 1944-45.

From 1973 to 1991, Laing was Director of the Bank of England. He was Director of the Exxon Corporation from 1984 to 1994.

Laing married Marian Clare, daughter of John Emilius Laurie in 1950; they had three sons.

He was knighted in 1978 and was created a Conservative life peer as Baron Laing of Dunphail, of Dunphail in the County of Moray on 8 February 1991. Laing was also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.

Lord Laing died on 21 June 2010 after a short illness.