Run the governing body like an instrument panel (9)
I believe the answer is:
dashboard
'an instrument panel' is the definition.
(dashboard is a kind of instrument panel)
'run the governing body' is the wordplay.
'run' becomes 'dash' (dash is a kind of run).
'the governing body' becomes 'board' (I've seen this in another clue).
'dash'+'board'='DASHBOARD'
'like' is the link.
(Other definitions for dashboard that I've seen before include "instrumental assistance" , "part of car" , "Instruments found here" , "Part of estate, maybe" , "Panel inside a car" .)