Governance & leadership
Independence is a structure
Setting the research agenda, carrying it out and approving what it concludes are deliberately kept in separate hands.
Board · Executive · Advisory
01The model
Three bodies, kept apart
Board of Directors
Strategic oversight, policy guidance and accountability.
Regional, international and technical expertise, serving five-year renewable terms.
Executive Team
Day-to-day management, research delivery and operations.
Research, policy, intelligence, communications and operations, supported by programme officers and researchers.
Advisory Council
Strategic advice, partnerships and visibility.
High-level figures from diplomacy, defence, scholarship, law, governance and trade.
Separating oversight from delivery means no single person can set the research agenda, approve it, and publish its conclusions. That separation is the reason the Institute can say its findings are independent and be believed.
02Board of Directors
Strategic oversight
Regional, international and technical expertise, appointed to five-year renewable terms.
Liban Yusuf Osman
Chairperson & Founder
Provides overall leadership; represents the Institute to governments, donors and partners; chairs board meetings.
Kadar Abdulahi Ali
Vice Chair & Co-Founder
Supports the Chair; leads committees and special initiatives; ensures board effectiveness.
Abdi Shakur Hassan Keyd
Security & Strategic Affairs Expert
Advises on maritime security, defence policy and strategic threats across the Red Sea region.
Muhiyadin
Economic & Trade Policy Expert
Provides guidance on trade, ports, maritime infrastructure and economic integration.
Ali Hassan Mohamed
Governance & Legal Affairs Expert
Oversees legal compliance, governance frameworks and policy integrity.
The Board is complemented by diplomatic, foreign-policy and academic expertise drawn from the Advisory Council.
Portrait photography: designed monograms stand in until real portraits are supplied — the Institute does not use fabricated imagery of people.
Key responsibilities of the Board
- Approve institute strategy and annual plans.
- Oversee financial management and budget approval.
- Ensure compliance with laws, ethics and donor requirements.
- Approve major research agendas, partnerships and outputs.
- Support fundraising and stakeholder engagement.
- Safeguard the Institute’s independence and integrity.
03Executive Team
Delivery
Responsible for operational management, research programmes, policy analysis and communications.
- Office of the Director
Executive Director
Chief executive; manages daily operations, implements board strategy and represents RSRPI externally.
- Research
Director of Research
Oversees all research programmes; ensures the quality, relevance and impact of reports and policy briefs.
- Policy & Advocacy
Director of Policy & Advocacy
Leads policy engagement with governments, multilateral organisations and donors.
- Intelligence & Foresight
Director of Security & Intelligence
Manages OSINT, risk mapping, strategic foresight and early-warning alerts.
- Communications
Communications & Media Lead
Handles media relations, publications, the website and public engagement.
- Operations
Finance & Administration Manager
Oversees accounting, HR, budgeting and compliance.
These roles reflect the Institute’s planned structure. Appointments are underway. CONTENT VERIFICATION REQUIRED: names of appointed post-holders.
04Advisory Council
Influential voices
Strategic advice, partnerships and visibility. The Council has no editorial influence over findings.
Former diplomats and defence officials
Senior figures with first-hand experience of regional statecraft and security.
International scholars
Leading academics on maritime security and the geopolitics of the Red Sea corridor.
Experts in law, governance and trade
Practitioners who can test the Institute’s legal and economic reasoning against how these systems actually operate.
CONTENT VERIFICATION REQUIRED: named Advisory Council members, once appointed.
05Principles
Governance principles
Governance is the foundation of credibility. Six principles guide every decision.
- 01
Integrity and transparency
Honesty and openness, with full accountability to stakeholders, partners and the public. Transparent reporting, clear documentation and ethical practice are non-negotiable.
- 02
Independence and objectivity
Full independence from political, commercial or partisan influence. Analyses and policy advice are evidence-based, impartial and free from external bias.
- 03
Strategic oversight
A governance structure that empowers the Board and leadership to set priorities, monitor performance and guide long-term strategy.
- 04
Accountability and responsiveness
Monitoring, evaluation and feedback are embedded in operations, so the Institute continuously improves and responds to emerging challenges.
- 05
Inclusivity and collaboration
Diversity of thought, regional representation and collaborative engagement strengthen the quality and relevance of the research.
- 06
Sustainability and stewardship
Responsible management of resources: sustainable finances, ethical use of data and prudent oversight secure the Institute’s longevity and impact.