The Chartered Quality Institute is governed by a two-part or bicameral structure, the principal components of which are the Board of Trustees, the legally accountable body, and the Advisory Council:
- The CQI is incorporated by Royal Charter
- The Advisory Council, comprising Members and Fellows elected from the CQI membership, plus a number of representatives from selected external bodies, elects the Board of Trustees
- The Board of Trustees appoint the Director General to manage the Executive
- The Executive is accountable to the Board of Trustees.