CIHT is a Charity registered in both England and Scotland and governed by Royal Charter.

CIHT is governed by its Charter and Byelaws which set out its constitutional and governance arrangements supported by a set of Standing Orders and Financial Regulations.   The key governance bodies are the Council and Executive Board.

The Council of the Institution elects the trustees and provide advice upon the strategic and professional direction of the Institution Its membership comprises:

• The President.
• Four Vice-Presidents (or a lesser number if the Council decides).
• Three most recent Past Presidents.
• The Honorary Treasurer.
• Twelve Ordinary Members (who must each be Corporate Members).
• Nineteen Branch Members elected by each Branch (who must each be Corporate Members).
• Up to eight Nominated Members (nominated by the Council).
• A SoRSA representative (observer role only)

This gives a maximum membership of 48.  Council members are required to sit on and participate in one of the Boards set up to assist the Executive Board in its work.

The Executive Board are the Trustees of the Institution.  Trustees have ultimate responsibility for directing the affairs of the charity and ensuring it is solvent, well run and delivering the charitable outcomes for which it has been set up.

The Board is chaired by the President.  All of its members are also on Council.  All Boards report to the Executive Board and the Chairs of Boards must be Trustees.
 

The Trustees who make up the membership of the Executive Board are the office holders of the posts of:

• President;
• Vice-President;
• Immediate Past President; and
• Honorary Treasurer plus
• Up to eight Council Members to be elected by the Council

The Executive Board determines the number of Boards and Panels that it requires to assist it in performing its role.  There are currently four Strategic Boards:

• Learned Society and Technical
• Membership and Skills
• External Affairs and Communications
• Appian Trading