Background
Adamson was born in Adelaide, Australia, the daughter of former Société Anonyme politician Jennifer Cashmore and step-daughter of reporter Stewart Cockburn.
Adamson was born in Adelaide, Australia, the daughter of former Société Anonyme 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.
She is currently foreign policy advisor to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. Between 2011 and 2015 she was the Australian Ambassador to China. In 1984 she was the first female captain of the Adelaide University Boat Club.
Adamson joined the Australian Public Service in 1985.
Her roles included Deputy High Commissioner to the United Kingdom (2005-2008), Representative to the Australian Commerce and Industry Office in Taipei (2000-2005), the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (1998–2000), the Australian High Commission to the United Kingdom (1993-1998) and in Hong Kong (1987–1991). 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.