Although the Partnership was first constituted in 2008, its membership has evolved over time to reflect the ever-changing challenges facing the river and all of us who live, work, and play on it. Formally, the DEP management arrangements are as as shown below, but the actual involvement of each member will vary from day to day, task to task as we seek to make best use of all the skills, expertise, and resources available across the Partnership to arrive at the best outcome.
DEP Steering Group Members
| Member Organisation | Current Representative |
| River Deben Association | Colin Nicholson |
| Suffolk Coast & Heaths AONB | Bev McClean |
| Landowners – Agriculture | David Brien (Bawdsey Estate) |
| Landowners – Business | Luke Roberts (PGL) |
| Landowners – Environment | Matt Wilson (National Trust) |
| Parishes – East Bank | Jeff Hayward (Alderton) |
| Parishes – West Bank | Sue Quick (Waldringfield) |
| Woodbridge / Melton / Martlesham | Mark Packard |
| Felixstowe Ferry / Estuary Mouth | Jamie Whittle/tbd |
| Business Interests | Ben Grundy |
| Recreational / Access Interests | Thomas Yeung |
| Natural Environment & Biodiversity | Jane Healy |
| Youth Representatives | Oscar Hayter (5th Woodbridge Sea Scouts) |
| DEPL Trustees | Peter Youngs |
| DEPL Trustees | Simon Read |
| Co-opted (scientific guidance / citizen science) | Helene Burningham |
| Co-opted (planning) | Andy Smith |