John Laird (58), has been Chairman of the Ulster-Scots Agency, an all-Ireland government funded agency responsible for the development of the Ulster-Scots language and culture, since 1999.

He sits as a cross-bencher in the House of Lords which he attends frequently and is popular with members of both Houses.

His professional background is as a senior public affairs consultant and Chairman of his own business, John Laird Public Relations. Lord Laird started his company in 1976 which has grown to be the longest established and one of the biggest in Northern Ireland. He is also visiting Professor of Public Relations at the University of Ulster and a Fellow of the Institute of Public Relations.

Lord Laird has had a varied career spanning several areas. Educated at Royal Belfast Academical Institution, his initial career was in banking.

In 1970, following the death of his father Dr. Norman Laird OBE MP, John was elected for his St Anne’s Seat in the House of Commons. 

Lord Laird has many interests and is a tireless advocate of the Ulster-Scots language and culture and is a great supporter of transport developments in Northern Ireland.

He is well known as the creator of a range of transport videos about trolleybuses and railways in the 1960’s. Included amongst John’s published titles are, ‘Twilight of Steam in Ulster’, ‘Swansong of Stream in Ulster’, and ‘Trolleybus Days in Belfast’, ‘Waterloo Sunset’ and, ‘Rails on the Isle of Wight’.

He is a Board member of the Ulster Orchestra and of the Board of Governors of RBAI.

Lord Laird is married to Lady Carol and they have two grown up children, Alison and David.