Charles Laing is a dedicated local campaigner who most recently stood, narrowly missing out on election, cutting the current Labour majority to just 112. Achieving the highest Conservative vote in the area for a decade. Prior to that he has served as an Association Officer in Stevenage, Deputy Area Chairman for Hertfordshire, Deputy Chairman Political in East Ham, and is the most recent past Chairman of the Hitchin and Harpenden Conservative Association.
Charles went to a local comprehensive school in Stevenage where in his final year he was elected Head Boy. Upon leaving he moved up to Scotland to study at the University of Aberdeen becoming part of the first generation of his family to attend university. On completion of his degree, Charles went on to study for a Masters at King’s College London and was then awarded a prestigious fully-funded scholarship to complete a PhD with the European Space Agency in Germany.
As part of his work Charles spent time on the Royal Air Force base in Henlow researching the operational health of fighter pilots and worked with NASA on maintaining astronaut health during long-duration missions. In 2015, he was part of the research team looking after the UK’s first Government funded Astronaut Major Tim Peake on his return from the International Space Station. Charles received his doctorate in Spacecraft Engineering and Extreme Physiology from King’s College London, having spent almost 4 years in Germany.
Working with big data as a Scientist provided Charles with the skills to successfully transition careers and move into banking. Firstly, moving to New York and working on Wall Street in the area of financial technology, so-called fintech. Now working as Senior Manager for a major UK bank focusing on how technology can be best used in financial services to provide services that are more accessible and inclusive.
As a former scientist Charles is passionate about the role science should play in policy making and good Government. He believes that science and investment in cutting edge technology is not only essential for economic prosperity, but also crucial for the success of a modern society in an ever increasingly complex world.
Charles currently lives in Hertfordshire with his wife, and young daughter, Ayla.
