The RPI is a not-for-profit company, limited by guarantee, and a registered charity. It is governed by a Council of Management, which acts as the Board of Directors under UK company law and the Board of Trustees under charity law. Operational decisions are delegated to a Director, based at offices in central Oxford, UK. The Oxford staff is at the centre of a much larger network of members and supporters.
A Corporate Advisory Panel, a Public Body Advisory Panel, and a Research Panel, made up of Members of the RPI, assists the Council of Management in the preparation of the research, conference, and seminar programmes.