The Institute of Business Consulting is governed by a Council comprising up to 14 members of the Institute as follows:

• Chair
• Chairman Elect or Immediate Past Chair
• Four nationally elected members of the Institute subject to a national election
• Four members appointed on a rotation basis from amongst those members of the Institute elected as Regional Chairs
• One member appointed by and from the large practice community
• Director of the Institute of Business Consulting
• Up to two members, co-opted to provide additional specialist expertise.

The Chair of the Council attends meetings of the Board of Trustees of the Chartered Management Institute as an Observer.  The Institute is also represented on Advisory Committees of the Chartered Management Institute looking at management development and membership issues.

The Council meets four times a year.  Its key role is to develop strategy for the Institute.  Its terms of reference are:

• Consider and make recommendations to the Board on all issues relating to the policy and strategy of the Institute
• Ensure that the vision and mission of the Institute reflect member and other stakeholder interests
• Act as custodians of the Institute's intellectual property
• Ensure that members remain engaged within the Institute structures at national and regional levels.

Vacancies arise annually for the nationally elected places on the Board and as Regional Chair.  There are currently no vacancies. 

The Council is supported by a number of advisory groups, covering issues such as:

• Business support as a profession
• Consultancy purchasing
• International activity.