The College is governed by its Council, an elected body of surgeons who represent the professional interests of the College’s membership. Decisions taken by Council drive the activities of the RCSEd in its mission to promote the highest standards of surgical practice.

There are 15 ordinary council members, elected by the RCSEd membership, who come from a range of surgical backgrounds and represent diverse interests across the profession as a whole. In addition to the elected ordinary members, Council is led by an elected President and two Vice Presidents; a Treasurer (ex officio), and an Honorary Secretary (ex officio). The Dean of the RCSEd’s Faculty of Dental Surgery is also an ex officio member of Council.

Invited representatives at certain Council meetings include chairmen of the RCSEd’s Specialty Advisory Boards, the Deans of the Faculties of Pre-Hospital Care and Health Informatics, plus representatives from the surgical specialty associations, trainee associations, and members of the RCSEd’s Public Liaison Committee.

Executive Management of the RCSEd is vested with its Chief Executive who is responsible through the President to Council.