[1][2] The institute aims to "help bring about sustainable improvements in employment policy and human resource management."

The institute also has a satellite office in the Westminster area of Central London.

[3] IES was established in 1969 on the campus of Sussex University, as the Institute of Manpower Studies.

[6] Other notable members of its Board include John Greatrex from Unipart, Nicola Smith from the Trades Union Congress and Professor David Guest of King's College London.

[citation needed] As of 2018[update], the director of the institute is Tony Wilson, who succeeded Nigel Meager.