Sir John’s legacy recognised

This summer saw two lasting tributes to Sir John installed in his home county of Cumbria – where the John Laing company began.

On May 19, 2025, family members, JLCT staff and representatives of English Heritage attended the unveiling of a life sized statue of Sir John at Furness Abbey.

This place was special to Sir John as it is where he made a pact with his God to devote a large proportion of anything he made to charity in return for help in getting through a contract which threatened the future of the Company. It is a promise Sir John lived up to all his life.

He was further honoured on June 4, 2025 when a blue plaque was erected at the Newcastle Street house in Carlisle where Sir John was born. Among the attendees were Sir John’s great grandchildren, Mrs Alex Laing Gregory and Mr Ben Laing.