Peter Douglas Langdon Latham

Obituary

Peter Latham (6.2.1951 to 31.7.2026) was much loved and will be sorely missed by his wife Alison, sons Simon and Martin, stepson Ian, sister Caroline, brother Rob, grandchildren Charlie and Flo and many other friends, colleagues and wider family members.

Peter was a keen sportsman who enjoyed many sports, particularly tennis, and was a recent convert to padel which he enjoyed
playing until very recently. In his earlier life, he was also a keen climber, skier and squash player. He also loved the arts, often sharing trips to the theatre or opera with family and friends. Retirement allowed him more time to spend on these interests, as well as travelling widely with Alison and completing a Masters degree in English Literature. He was very fond of his dog Megan but later in life developed a bond with his cats Smokey Robinson and Martha. His optimism, quietly generous spirit and desire to make the most of every day meant that he led a full life, with many outside his immediate family and friends remembering him fondly as a colleague or mentor.   

Peter joined James Latham PLC in 1973 as the seventh generation of his family to enter the business. As Chairman from 2006 to 2017, he led a period of modernisation, sustainability-focused initiatives, and expansion into panel products and specialist materials.
Over his 44-year career, he became one of the most influential figures in the UK timber trade.

Peter was widely liked and highly respected across the timber industry. In 2012 he was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to the UK wood industry. Beyond James Latham, he held senior roles in forestry organisations, including Chairman of PEFC, and in 2019, he was proud to be appointed as a Forestry Commissioner. Peter received the Timber Trade Journal Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his long-standing leadership in timber distribution and environmental stewardship. He was also a Trustee of the Gravetye charity where he continued to follow his passion for the natural environment. 

We know the news of his passing will be felt deeply by many.

Gallery

Memory wall

August 20, 2026

We were deeply saddened to hear of your passing.
You were a great help also to SGEC/PEFC Japan, and we are truly grateful for all your support over the years.

With deepest sympathy,
Tatsuya Kajiya
Shigeru Takahara and
SGEC/PEFC Japan

PS. the photo is from 2018 June in Tokyo

SGEC/PEFC Japan

August 18, 2026

It is with deep sadness that we have learned of the passing of our former PEFC International Chair.

Peter served on the PEFC International Board of Directors for ten years, including five years as Chair from 2016 to 2021.

During his tenure, he helped guide PEFC through a period of significant growth and development. Under his leadership, the PEFC alliance expanded from 43 to 55 national members, strengthening its presence across Asia, Africa and Europe.

Peter was deeply respected for his wisdom, diplomacy and ability to bring people together. His thoughtful leadership and commitment to sustainable forest management have left a lasting legacy within PEFC and across the wider forest sector.

We are deeply grateful for everything Peter contributed to PEFC over the years. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and former colleagues at this difficult time.

Thank you, Peter. You will be greatly missed.

https://pefc.org/news/pefc-mourns-the-passing-of-former-chair-peter-latham-obe

PEFC International

August 17, 2026

So many beautiful adjectives have been used to describe Peter. I remember him as very approachable, kind, smiling, unfailingly punctual, with an extraordinary breadth and depth of knowledge. Thank you for your leadership of the PEFC International board, through growth and challenging changes.
I fondly remember travelling with him to Belarus in July 2017 for a symbolic tree planting following the devastating hurricane near Minsk. Later, Peter agreed to embrace a marketing challenge when he accompanied me to brief a communication agency in London as he led the PEFC branding & messaging taskforce in 2017-2018. It was a privilege to know Peter and to share these moments with him. Thank you. R.I.P Peter.
Fabienne

Fabienne Sinclair

August 14, 2026

Dear Peter... how sad that we have lost you...
Not only as PEFC family, but also we shared photos of our cats at home and enjoyed chatting as ‘cat-loving friends’.
Thank You, Peter, you were such beloved Chair and a person.I have also shared this sad news with former PEFC colleagues from many countries.
We never forget you.
Makiko Horio, PEFC Japan.

Makiko Horio

August 5, 2026

Peter was my boss for many years but most importantly, my friend . We knew each other from 1978 until his very untimely passing . A true gentleman ,genuine , trusted and respected by everyone he came into contact with, always there for a kind, caring or thoughtful word, always had time for the people he worked with . Probably the most intelligent person I have ever met.
We travelled on business together and shared many a beer ,glasses of wine and had plenty of laughs along the way, whilst of course also talking ( a little) shop .
As an environmentalist Peter not only had a huge impact on James Latham but the whole timber industry . He was ahead of his time .
People held Peter in the highest regard and at a recent PEFC International Forum, many people from across the Globe asked about him and spoke in such positive terms .\
Peter and I were due to have lunch today for our regular catch up, something I looked forward to .He asked if we could rearrange.....I met with someone today who also knew Peter well, he only had good things to say about him. We raised a glass to his memory .
To the Family, I send my deepest condolences . You have lost a great man .
Deeply saddened but honoured and proud to have known Peter.
Yours
Chris

CHRISTOPHER SUTTON

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