Press Complaints Commission director Guy Black has been recruited as the new Conservative press chief.

The appointment is a coup for Michael Howard who has found a respected big hitter to head up the Tory media machine.

Black will run a new office of the press secretary within the Conservative leader's Commons office.

His deputy will lead the party press operation as part of a shake-up of Tory headquarters initiated by the new party leader and chairmen.

Policy chief Greg Clark will run an amalgamated research and development department, while a new marketing department will be formed under Will Harris.

Harris has been brought in from the private sector where he was marketing chief for mobile phone company O2.

The shake-up comes as part of a package of reforms begun by Howard and new co-chairman Maurice Saatchi.

It has been announced that the number of departments in Conservative Central Office is to be reduced from 11 to three.

And the party is set to leave its Smith Square building in Westminster and had already announced the exit of the senior communications staff of previous leader Iain Duncan Smith.

The move towards a dedicated marketing department reflects Saatchi's background in advertising and the emphasis that will be placed upon election campaigning.

The department will be responsible for opinion polling, mailshots, electronic communications, advertising and party political broadcasting as well as membership and constituency activities.

A statement said that "Michael Howard's objective is to re-establish Conservative Central Office as the most effective political campaigning machine in the world".

Well connected and openly gay, Black is known to be close to Sun editor Rebekah Wade.

His appointment demonstrates Howard's commitment to extend the Tories' social reach and determination to woo the Murdoch press.

Black will leave the PCC in the new year when his contract expires.

He has been at the press watchdog since 1996 and before then was a Conservative research officer and special adviser to former Cabinet minister Lord Wakeham.

"The last seven and a half years have been immensely challenging and fulfilling," he said.

"I am proud to have helped chart it through some fascinating and stimulating times.

"I leave the PCC in excellent shape and I know that it will continue under the dynamic leadership of Sir Christopher Meyer to provide a first class service to members of the public."

PCC chairman Sir Christopher said: "Black's contribution to the cause of self regulation and a free press has been immense.

"Today members of the public use the PCC in unprecedented numbers. This is eloquent testimony to Guy's leadership as director of the commission, which has been a model of integrity, expertise and rigour.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed working with him over the last eight months and have learned much in the process.

"I wish him well in a job where the challenges will be different but just as testing."