The rank insignia for a brigadier is a St Edward's Crown over three "pips" ("Bath" stars).

These appointments, although reflecting its modern role in the British Army as a senior colonel rather than a junior general, were not well received and were both replaced with brigadier in both the Army and the Marines (although not replacing the substantive rank of colonel commandant in the latter) in 1928.

Historically, brigadier and sub-brigadier were the junior officer ranks in the Troops of Horse Guards.

To reflect the status of the Horse Guards as Household Troops, brigadiers ranked with lieutenants and sub-brigadiers with cornets in other cavalry regiments.

[9] Brigadier remains the lowest officer rank in the Royal Company of Archers, the King's Bodyguard for Scotland.