The Laidlaw Foundation is thrilled to share our Annual Review 2024/2025, showcasing a year of growth and impact across our programmes, each dedicated to leveraging the transformative power of education to reduce poverty, promote equity, and develop the next generation of ethical leaders.
“It has been another full and fulfilling year for the Foundation, as each of our programmes expands its reach and impact; building on prior year initiatives and launching new ways to tackle poverty and inequality through educational opportunities. Enjoy reading the stories of those with whom we have had the privilege to work over the last academic year. From cradle to careers, their journeys are both deeply humbling and profoundly uplifting. In these complicated and increasingly troubled times, their stories give us hope that systemic change is possible, when we are ambitious and brave enough to act; hope that the next generation of leaders will be good ones. Leaders with moral imagination and muscle; who are innovative and effective, who think globally and act responsibly, caring about people and the planet.”
—Susanna Kempe, Chief Executive, Laidlaw Foundation
Our five core programmes have expanded in both reach and impact, all grounded in our mission to create positive, lasting change in the world.
- The Laidlaw Schools Trust achieved record Ofsted outcomes and continued to raise the bar for educational excellence across its academies. With initiatives that champion wellbeing, inclusion, and innovation — from rolling out personal devices to over 1,000 pupils through its ambitious PedTech strategy to investing in outdoor learning and career pathways — LST advanced its bold vision for the North East. The launch of the Sunderland Fellowship exemplifies our commitment to transforming lives beyond the school gates. With sustained support from the Laidlaw Foundation, LST is building a future where every child belongs and every educator is empowered.
- The Laidlaw Scholars Leadership & Research Programme grew to 20 global partners with the addition of NYU Abu Dhabi. Scholars completed 419 research projects and 327 Leadership in Action initiatives across 70 countries, addressing real-world challenges in collaboration with local communities. Character development remains central: data from the Oxford Ethical Leadership Programme showed growth across all 11 dimensions of character, as well as increased self-awareness, reflection, and values-based intentionality. A new qualitative impact study reinforced this, with Ethical Leadership and Global Citizenship emerging as the most prominent themes in Scholars’ self-reflections throughout the Programme.
- The Women in Business Laidlaw Scholarship supported 50 extraordinary women across four world-leading business schools. London Business School and Oxford Saïd Business School continued to champion future women leaders with established cohorts, while HEC Paris and IE Business School welcomed their first Laidlaw Scholars. In celebration of International Women’s Day, 80 women from across all Laidlaw Programmes gathered at Elevate 2025, a dynamic event focused on accelerating gender equity. Sessions on creative leadership, mentorship, and entrepreneurship fostered connection, inspiration, and shared purpose — strengthening a global community of women leading change.
- The Trailblazers Programme at Trinity College Dublin welcomed 12 new exceptional women from disadvantaged backgrounds, in partnership with Trinity Access. Through financial support, mentorship, and leadership development, the Programme empowers these students to access higher education and realise their ambitions. From the classroom to the workplace, Trailblazers are breaking down barriers and forging new paths.
- Laidlaw Scholars Ventures, our venture capital arm, continued to back bold start-ups founded by Laidlaw Scholars — investing a total of £4.2 million to date. This year saw major advances: CardiaTec raised £5.1M to accelerate drug discovery for cardiovascular disease, while Kodifly expanded its AI infrastructure solutions across Asia. Other portfolio companies secured key partnerships despite economic challenges.
Thank you for your continued support and commitment to the Laidlaw Foundation. Enjoy the read!
