Name Frances Adamson Role Diplomat | ||
 | ||
Born 20 April 1961 (age 63) ( 1961-04-20 ) Adelaide, South Australia Occupation Public servant, diplomat | ||
Alma mater University of Adelaide | ||
H.E. Ms Frances Adamson, Australian Ambassador to China in conversation with the ABC's Jim Middleton
Frances Adamson (born 20 April 1961) is an Australian public servant and diplomat. On 20 July 2016, she was appointed Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) by the Prime Minister of Australia Malcolm Turnbull; the first ever female Secretary to be appointed to the portfolio. From 2015 to 2016 she was foreign policy advisor to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and from 2011 to 2015 she was Australian Ambassador to China.
Contents
- HE Ms Frances Adamson Australian Ambassador to China in conversation with the ABCs Jim Middleton
- Early life and education
- Career
- References
Early life and education
Adamson was born in Adelaide, Australia, the daughter of former South Australian politician Jennifer Cashmore and step-daughter of reporter Stewart Cockburn. Adamson was educated at the Walford Anglican School for Girls and the University of Adelaide, where she received a Bachelor of Economics. In 1984 she was the first female captain of the Adelaide University Boat Club.
Career
Adamson joined the Australian Public Service in 1985.. Her roles included Deputy High Commissioner to the United Kingdom (2005–08), Representative to the Australian Commerce and Industry Office in Taipei (2000–05), the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (1998–2000), the Australian High Commission to the United Kingdom (1993–98) and the Australian Consulate-General in Hong Kong (1987–1991).
From 2009 to 2010, Adamson was Chief of Staff to Stephen Smith when he was Foreign Minister.
Between 2011 and 2015 she held the post of Australian Ambassador to the People's Republic of China, the first woman in the position.
In 2015 she was appointed a foreign policy adviser to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.
On 20 July 2016, she was appointed Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) by the Prime Minister of Australia Malcolm Turnbull; the first ever woman to be appointed to the role.