A retired CEO died after a short battle with mesothelioma but his death remains a mystery as it is not clear if he ever came into contact with asbestos, an inquest has heard.

Peter Day, from Amersham, was the Chief Executive Officer of an IT company before he retired.

After coming back from a holiday in Florida with chest pains earlier this year, the 76-year-old was eventually diagnosed with metastatic biphasic pleural mesothelioma primarily caused by exposure to asbestos.

Surgery was not an option after his diagnosis, and he was instead given palliative treatment by Rennie Grove. He tragically passed away with his wife and daughter at his side at home in Clifton Road on July 19.

An inquest into the death of Mr Day, held at Buckinghamshire Coroners Court in Beaconsfield on September 2, heard that as a former chief executive of a software company, it was not clear how he may have been exposed to asbestos.

Senior coroner for Bucks Crispin Butler initially recorded a narrative conclusion, which simply sets out the facts of a death, in a hearing on Wednesday.

But after later hearing a statement from Mr Day's family that had not been taken into account at the time of the inquest, Mr Butler has now concluded that he died as a result of industrial disease.

According to Companies House, Mr Day was also involved with the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT), a leading conservation charity.

In a tribute posted on the WWT website, colleagues said Mr Day was one of its most passionate and devoted supporters, as a volunteer for more than 20 years at the London Wetland Centre, as a trustee and as chair of the council.

He had reportedly obtained his PhD in plant molecular, phylogenetic and population genetics at Queen Mary, University of London and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, just two years ago.

The tribute added: Peter made huge efforts to really understand WWT. He travelled extensively to sites and wider conservation projects not just for organised events but in an informal capacity, which was appreciated by many WWT staff, volunteers and our supporters.

He held a strong vision for a better environment, could always be relied on as a source of sound and reliable advice and held a natural ability to convey encouragement to everyone he met.

He was also very supportive to the management team during the recent pandemic.

He will be hugely missed by all staff and volunteers. We send our deepest sympathy to his family.

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CEO 'died of mesothelioma - but it's not clear if he ever came into contact with asbestos' - Buckinhamshire Free Press