PETER COOK 1948 – 2020

It is with great sadness that Burgoynes has to announce the death of Peter Cook, who passed away on Tuesday 20 October 2020 after a long illness.  

Peter joined Burgoynes in 1980 after spending 9 years working within the Metropolitan Police Forensic Science Laboratory (MPFSL).  In 1985 Peter was admitted as a Partner and in 1986 he opened our first overseas office in Singapore, and its continued success, some 34 years later, owes much to the efforts made by Peter in those early years.  Peter returned to the UK in 1990, working from the London and Stevenage offices, at which time he took a leading role in the management of the Partnership whilst continuing his commitment to case work.  Peter retired as a Partner in 2013, following which he continued to work as a Consultant. 

Peter was very well known, respected and liked by clients, dealing with both land-based and marine incidents.  He investigated the causes of many fires, explosions and chemical incidents worldwide; a great many of these incidents involving shipping. He developed particular expertise in matters relating to live marine cargo fires.  Peter gained particular expertise on the hazards associated with the carriage of coal at sea, which led to him being invited to rewrite the entry on coal in ‘Thomas on Stowage’ by the editor.

Peter bore his illness with great fortitude, remarkable humour and characteristic stoicism. He has been an outstanding Partner, colleague, mentor and friend within Burgoynes and a highly respected ambassador for our organisation. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him professionally and personally and we extend our deepest sympathy to his family, especially his wife Gilly who has been a great support to Peter both during his work with Burgoynes and during his illness.