David Laing | Chairman and Company Founder

Bio

Chairman of DJ Laing Group and Company Founder.

From the age of 15, David worked on a farm at Pitskelly, joining D Geddes a year later as a time served JCB driver.  Gathering a wealth of experience over the next years as Plant Operator with Charles Gray and then Fraser Construction, in construction contracts, groundworks, recycling, commercial and housing developments, David then went on to set up DJ Laing (Contracts) Ltd in 1975.

Although now retired, David now provides an advisory service to the DJ Laing Group, with a clear vision on the future direction of the companies.

Achievements include purchasing Ballumbie Farm land in 1996 and which was developed it into a nursing home, alongside 220 homes  and an 18 hole Golf Course by a third party. 1999 saw the refurbishment of an old jute mill on Panmure Industrial Estate into the award-winning DJ Laing World Headquarters, overlooking Carnoustie’s championship Golf Course.

The success of the business has been mainly due to the founder’s foresight and vision which produced a maximum turnover of £15M.  Dave Laing had ambition to develop and expand and was not afraid to take calculated business risks to succeed.  He has worked extremely hard and diversified where he saw opportunities and his vision has ensured the success of the group of businesses.  He has been true to his roots and supports his workforce and local community.  His tenacity meant D J Laing survived the recession when most other long standing, well established construction businesses went into liquidation.  The Company is renowned for it’s quality and this is due to Dave’s fierce determination and directive ‘to get it right first time’.

David sponsors and supports CarnoustiePanmure Football Club, is a former Chairman of Carnoustie Panmure JFC and former Board Member of Wood Recycling Association.