Stephen Maddock

Stephen Maddock OBE serves as Principal of the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire at Birmingham City University, a role he assumed in May 2023 following 24 years as Chief Executive of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO). His leadership propelled the CBSO to global prominence through 78 international tours, 70+ recordings (including two Gramophone Awards), and premieres of 160+ new works.

Graduating from New College, Oxford in 1990 with a degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics, Maddock began his career at BBC Radio 3 before expanding the BBC Proms' artistic scope and audience reach as its Administrator from 1995–1999.

His expertise centers on strategic arts leadership and institutional innovation, evidenced by founding the Shireland CBSO Academy and pioneering partnerships between orchestras and educational trusts. He champions music education accessibility while maintaining rigorous artistic standards across performance, broadcasting, and community engagement.

Maddock's sector contributions are honored by:

• OBE (2017) for Services to Music, especially in the West Midlands
• President’s Medal from The Birmingham & Midland Institute (2023)

He actively shapes arts policy through board memberships including the Association of British Orchestras and Warwick Arts Centre, while contributing to cultural discourse as a BBC Radio 4 Round Britain Quiz panelist since 2003 and Patron of Schola Cantorum of Oxford.