Following World War II, he studied illustration and graphic design at the Chelsea School of Art on an ex-serviceman's scholarship, and began to specialize in pottery while undertaking postgraduate study at the University of London.
In 1953, Laird moved to Jersey where he taught art at a grammar school.
In 1959, he emigrated to New Zealand to teach extramurally, based in Palmerston North, at Victoria University of Wellington.
[1] In 1964, the Lairds established Waimea Pottery in Richmond, New Zealand, near Nelson.
[2] In the 1984 New Year Honours, Laird was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire, for services to pottery.