Tom Coates, RWS, RP, PPRBA, RWA, PPNEAC, PS (1941-2023) was a very well-known painter in oil, watercolour and pastel.  He studied at Bournville College of Art (1956-59), at Birmingham College of Art (1959-61) and at the Royal Academy Schools (1961-64). He exhibited at many group shows, including at the Royal Academy from 1980, and had solo shows at The New Grafton Gallery, Messum’s Gallery, W.H. Patterson Gallery, Alresford Gallery and The Cross Gate Gallery at Lexington in Kentucky. Tom Coates was a Past President of both the Royal Society of British Artists and the New English Art Club and was a member of a number of other prestigious art societies in the UK. In 1990 the Ministry of Defence commissioned him to paint the Ceremonial Procession for the Queen Mother’s 90th Birthday and he was also commissioned to paint a portrait of the then HRH The Prince of Wales. His work is held in many public and private collections.