He inherited his father John 's building business -- which is now known as John Laing plc -- in the early 1900s .
Sir John William Laing ( 1879 -- 1978 ) was a British entrepreneur in the construction industry .
John William Laing inherited John William Laing 's entrepreneur John 's building business -- which is now known as John Laing plc -- in the early 1900s .
Sir John William Laing ( 1879 -- 1978 ) was a British entrepreneur in the construction industry .