Northamptonshire Community Foundation pays a heartfelt and grateful tribute to David Laing CBE for his instrumental leadership and unwavering support in advancing our mission. From our early years and beyond, David's contributions have been pivotal in realising our vision of empowering local communities through grant awards to small charities and volunteer-led groups, while also establishing a lasting community asset via endowment funds to benefit future generations and address evolving community needs.

David Laing CBE took on the role of Chairman during a critical phase of our development in 2007, significantly shaping the Foundation's success in fostering place-based philanthropy, charitable activities, and grant-making. His efforts brought numerous supporters and donors on board, and he was key in developing our vision and values to ensure effective community support. During his tenure as High Sheriff from 2010 to 2011, David championed our work through the Northamptonshire High Sheriff’s Initiative Fund, promoting the values of peace, justice, and strong institutions, while enhancing community safety and crime reduction.

Beyond his leadership roles, David Laing CBE has been a generous and enduring donor to the Foundation. Upon stepping down as Chairman, he continued his commitment as one of our dedicated Patrons and later as Vice Patron when he became Lord-Lieutenant. Through the David Laing Family Foundation and his personal generosity, David has been an exceptional friend to Northamptonshire Community Foundation. Our journey toward making a positive impact and difference would simply not have been possible without his invaluable leadership, kindness, guidance, involvement, and support.

We sincerely thank Mary Laing and family for continuing their charitable work through Northamptonshire Community Foundation, and we will continue to honour David’s legacy for his charitable activities throughout Northamptonshire.

‘David was a man of charming personality, genuine warmth and wholehearted concern for the welfare of Northamptonshire and its people. He will be long remembered and much missed by all who knew him and the many who benefited from his infinite kindness.’

• Deirdre Fenwick, Vice President

‘David was a man with an enormous heart, and through the Community Foundation his philanthropy was often guided right to the centre of an issue, where most needed. He was also incredibly generous to the Foundation itself, in both time commitment and support. So many organisations are in a better place for having known him.’

• Crispin Holborow DL, Vice President

‘David Laing was an enormously generous individual who gave so much to many organisations and groups across Northamptonshire, who brought an energy and dynamism to everything he was involved with. He was an enthusiastic supporter of the Northamptonshire Community Foundation from the outset, and we are so grateful for the time, effort and support he gave to the Charity.  

Although Lord-Lieutenant for a relatively short time, his impact was transformational.  He had a natural inquisitiveness in all aspects of our county, and he became a common sight across the county.  His interests and generosity touched so many organisations and bodies.  A poet and architect, he had a great love for the Arts and supported organisations both locally and nationally, particularly the Birmingham Royal Ballet. 

We were all so delighted that his enormous contribution to both the County and further afield was recognised when he was awarded the CBE in New Year’s Honours list.  David’s death is a great loss to so many and his memory will endure for an extremely long time.  In his passing we have lost a close friend and mentor.’

• Lord Lieutenant and Patron James Saunders Watson