• Graduate of Trent Polytechnic and Essex University.
• Fellow of the IEE, IEEE, and the Royal Academy of Engineering
• Member of the New York Academy of Sciences and Fellow of The Royal Society of Arts
• The first Collier Chair for The Public Understanding of Science & Technology at The University of Bristol
• He has also been a visiting professor to University College London, Essex, Kent and Southampton Universities

From 1987-91 he managed the Long Lines Division and was involved in the development of intensity modulated and coherent optical systems, photonic amplifiers and wavelength routed networks

He led a team that won the Queen's Award for Innovation and Export in 1990

He was awarded the IEE Electronics Division Premium in 1986, the Computing and Control Premium, and IERE Benefactors Prize in 94

In 1994 he was Awarded the BT Martlesham Medal for his personal contribution to the development of optical transmission systems, and in 1995 The Institute of Mining Engineers James Clerk Maxwell Memorial Medal

In 1991 he established the Systems Research Division to study future technologies, systems, services and networks

During 1993 he was promoted to head the Research Department at BT laboratories with 660 staff dedicated to the study of future technologies, systems, networks and services

In 1999 he was appointed BT's Chief Technologist and established a new Consultancy Group concerned with charting the long-term future of technology, society, and BT

At the end of November 2000 Peter retired from BT to join his own startup company - ConceptLabs - which he founded with a group out of Apple Computers in 1998 at Campbell CA, in Silicon Valley

In 1999 he also received an OBE for contributions to International Telecommunications, in 2000 The IEEE Millennium Medal and in 2001 The City & Guilds Prince Philip Medal

He is a regular writer for the Telegraph, Times and Guardian Newspapers, Guardian OnLine and Wired Magazine - and has published over 150 original scientific and technical works. Peter's writings are syndicated in the USA, Australia, Japan, China, India and Europe

In 2006 Peter left ConceptLabs and moved on to form a new virtualized global operation (Cochrane Associates) to exploit the new business freedoms and opportunities afforded by the latest technologies.

He:

• makes regular appearances on radio and TV world-wide.
• is a consultant to numerous international companies.
• was the only senior member of BT with a skateboard!
• has six times as many Doctorates as O levels!
• was made an Apple Master in 1997.
• is a business angel
• starts at least one new company a year
• spends 10 - 15% of his resources on not-for profit activities including education & charity