| 1986 – 1987 | Sir Michael Carlisle | |
| 1988 – 1991 | Sir Vernon Seccombe | (deceased 6th December 2014) |
| 1992 – 1993 | Sir Bruce Martin | (deceased 7th February 2018) |
| 1994 – 1995 | Sir Vernon Seccombe | (deceased 6th December 2014) |
| 1996 – 2000 | Professor Duncan Eaton | |
| 2001 – 2004 | Professor Brian Edwards | |
| 2004 – 2011 | Professor Christine Harland | |
| 2011 – -—– | Lord Hunt of King’s Heath |