Born in 1940, Sonia Coode-Adams studied at The Byam Shaw School of Art, and has been passionate about visual art from childhood.

In 2008, Sonia was awarded the MBE for services to contemporary art and the community in Essex.

firstsite

• Trustee, 1993 – 2009
• Chair, 1998 – 2003
• Honorary President, 2010 –     
• Chair, firstsite:newsite Development Board, 2005 – 2010
• Chair, Development, 2010 –
• Chair, Collectors' Group, 2011 –

Other arts

• Founder of Coode-Adams Martin Associates, advising major national and international companies on their art collections 1983 – 2003
• Member of several acquisition Committees at Tate
• Trustee, Victor Batte-Lay Trust, 1989 – 2000
• Committee Member, Patrons of New Art at Tate, 1993 – 1997
• Chairman, Arts Committee, University of Essex, 1993 – 1997
• Chairman, Arts and Business East, 1996 – 2000
• Panellist, Public Art Strategy for Thames Path, 1997 – 1999

Community

• Trustee, Friends of Essex Churches, 1971 – 2001; Chairman 1995 – 1998; President, 1998 – 2001
• Member, Chelmsford Cathedral Council, 2000 – 2009
• President, Royal British Legion, Women’s Section, Essex, 2001 – present
• President, Royal British Legion Women’s Section, Coggeshall Branch, 1995 – present