The University of Northampton installs David Laing as its first Pro Chancellor

The University of Northampton is pleased to announce that it has installed its first Pro Chancellor, David Laing and awarded him with an Honorary Fellowship at this year’s Summer Graduation ceremonies.

David was born into the Laing construction family and it is no surprise that he qualified as an architect and subsequently worked with Sir Basil Spence’s London firm before setting up a private practice in Hertfordshire, as well as becoming a partner in GHM Rock Townsend.

With his knowledge of the construction industry, David became a chairman of Country and Metropolitan and has been a director of Eskmuir, a quoted property company which was taken private and is the Laing family’s property vehicle. As well as being a director of a number of private companies, David has served as a trustee, chairman or president of many charities, including the Northamptonshire Community Foundation, the Northamptonshire Association of Youth Clubs and Adrenaline Alley, the biggest urban sports park in the UK.

David, who has served as High Sheriff of Northamptonshire, was appointed Lord Lieutenant of the County on 17 June 2014.

He has had experience in the leisure sector and also agriculture, being hands on at his farm at Brigstock. He has been living in Northamptonshire for 10 years and is committed to making it known as the Heart of England.

David said “Being the Pro Chancellor, there is so much to do, but it’s a wonderful opportunity given to anybody. It is a very exciting time that the University is about to enter into, with the proposed new development down at Waterside. It’s the University leading the town and leading the county, so my reaction to become the Pro Chancellor receiving an Honorary Fellowship was great excitement.”​

Professor Nick Petford, Vice Chancellor of the University of Northampton, commented: “In addition to celebrating the outstanding achievements of the graduating class of summer 2014, we are also recognising high profile individuals who have collectively impacted, directly or indirectly, many millions of people worldwide through their acting, music, charitable activities or the social enterprises they run. These recipients of honorary awards will, no doubt, motivate our graduates as they go out into the world and transform lives and inspire change amongst all those who come into contact with them.”