As a membership organisation, the ultimate ownership and direction of ICE resides in the hands of the members, represented by the ICE Council. The governance structure laid down in the Royal Charter and by-laws ensures the involvement of members in the running of the Institution.
What is the Council?
The ICE Council is the governing body of the Institution, and comprises the President, immediate past President, Vice-Presidents, and 34 elected members representing all grades of the membership. Council is chaired by the President.
Council currently meets four times a year to discuss the strategic direction and set the policy of the Institution in matters of education, training, qualification and issues concerning its role as a 'reservoir' of knowledge in the field of civil engineering. Detailed business is delegated to the Executive Board, comprising the President, Vice-Presidents, and five elected members of Council. The Board is chaired by the senior Vice-President. ICE members are welcome to attend Council meetings under prior arrangement with the Council Office.
Find out more about the composition of the Council and how to become a member.
ICE Members can access the minutes of Council meetings in our Council's secure online community. Dates of meetings of the Council, together with other major events in the ICE calendar are published in the Council calendar, copies of which can be obtained from the Council Office - email council@ice.org.uk to request a copy.
The role of the Council
Although the Council and Executive Board are ultimately responsible for governing and managing the Institution on behalf of its members, the day-to-day operation is the responsibility of the Director General.
Find out more about the Director General and his senior management team.
A Review of ICE Governance was carried out in 2011 by a working group under the chairmanship of Vice-President Bill Hewlett. The full report on the review can be viewd at: www.ice.org.uk/Information-resources/Document-Library/Review-of-ICE-Governance-2011.
I'm a member, how can I get involved?
ICE Members can take part in the governance of their Institution by standing for election as a member of the Council, or as a Vice President which can lead to the ultimate goal of leading ICE as President. All these elected members work closely with the Director General and the other directors and staff to develop and implement Institution policy to ensure that ICE fulfils its role of promoting and spreading civil engineering knowledge and expertise.
If you're interested in becoming more closely involved with ICE's work in general, then you can register your interest by completing the Get Involved form.
What about student and graduate members?
Issues of particular concern to graduate and student members are addressed by the Graduate and Students Network (GSNet). The GSNet Chairman attends ICE Council meetings, and the Council also includes two graduate members elected by the graduate membership worldwide.