Peter Cochrane, Ph.D. is a graduate of Trent Polytechnic (now Nottingham Trent University) and Essex University with a BSc Hons in Electrical Engineering in 1973 and gained an MSc, PhD and DSc in telecommunications systems from the Essex University. He has been a visiting professor to UCL, Essex, Southampton and Kent Universities. He was the Collier Chair for the Public Understanding of Science & Technology from 1999 to 2000 at the University of Bristol, and is a Member of the New York Academy of Sciences.
Dr. Cochrane BT Laboratories in 1973 and has worked on both analogue and digital switching and transmission studies. From 1988 he managed the Long Lines Division where he was involved in the development of intensity modulated and coherent optical systems, photonic amplifiers and wavelength-routed networks. In 1991 he established the Systems Research Division and during 1993 he was promoted to head the Research Department at BT laboratories with 660 staff. In 1999 he became BT's Chief Technologist and established a new team of Communication Consultancy Group concerned with charting the long-term future of technology, society, BT and it's customers and clients.
At the end of November 2000 Peter Cochrane retired from BT to join his own startup company - Concept Labs - which he founded with a group out of Apple Computers in 1998 at Campbell CA, in Silicon Valley.
Peter Cochrane has published widely in all areas of telecommunications studies and is also a regular contributor to the international paper and electronic press. He joined a select group of Apple Masters in 1997.
Mr. Cochrane led a team that received the Queen's Award for Innovation & Export in 1990; the Martlesham Medal for contributions to fibre optic technology in 1994; the IEE Electronics Division Premium in 1986; Computing and control Premium in 1994 and the IERE Benefactors Prize in 1994; the James Clerk Maxwell Memorial Medal in 1995; IBTE Best Paper Prize and Honorary Doctorates from Essex, Robert Gordon, Stafford, and Nottingham Trent Universities and was awarded an OBE in 1999 for his contribution to international communications. Peter Cochrane was awarded an IEEE Millennium Medal in 2000 and The City & Guilds Prince Philip Medal in 2001..