Stanford Robinson was the principal conductor from 1931 until 1946, but others included Walter Goehr, Spike Hughes, Harold Lowe, Mark Lubbock and Lionel Salter.

[1][2] Lockhart concluded his principal conductorship of the orchestra at the end of 2017, and subsequently took the title of chief guest conductor.

In November 2017, the orchestra announced the appointment of Bramwell Tovey as its next principal conductor, effective January 2018, with an initial contract of five years.

In June 2023, the BBC CO announced the appointment of Helsing as its next chief conductor, effective 1 October 2023, with an initial contract of three seasons.

[7] In June 2024, the orchestra announced the appointment of Edwin Outwater as its next principal guest conductor, effective 1 September 2024.

[9] In January 2013, the orchestra announced the appointment of Guy Barker as its new Associate Composer, replacing Greenwood, with an initial contract of two years.