The son of Hector Laing Sr[1] and Margaret Norrie Grant was educated at the Loretto School in Musselburgh and Jesus College, Cambridge.
Laing served as a tank commander in the Scots Guards between 1942 and 1947, and reached the rank of a Captain.
He was mentioned in dispatches and awarded the US Bronze Star during campaign in France in 1944–45.
The company merged to form United Biscuits, and Laing became managing director in 1964 and served as chairman from 1972 to 1990.
Laing married Marian Clare, daughter of John Emilius Laurie in 1950; they had three sons.