Black has been the director of the Press Complaints Commission since 1996 and is said to have helped manage relations between the Royal Family, particularly Princes William and Harry, and the tabloid press.
Howard will no doubt be hoping Black can negotiate a similar truce between the press and the Tories, as he seeks to position himself as a viable Prime Minister-in-waiting.
Before joining the PCC, Black was a special adviser to the then secretary of state for energy John Wakeham, and he has also worked as a desk officer within the Conservative Research Department.
Howard's appointment of Black comes amid a trio of appointments. He has also hired Will Harris, vice-president of marketing at the mobile phone company O2, as marketing director to head a new department. The marketing department will be responsible for all opinion research, direct marketing, electronic marketing, advertising, party political broadcasting, membership, constituency marketing support and arranging tours and events for the shadow cabinet and Howard.
Greg Clark, who is currently head of the Conservative Party's Policy Unit, will take the role of director for another new department called Conservative Research and Development. This will look at policy research and development.
Howard took the role of leader of the Tory Party unopposed, after Iain Duncan Smith was ousted from the post. He has already scored a coup in naming advertising luminary Maurice Saatchi as one of two chairman of the party, along with Liam Fox.
At the Press Complaints Commission, deputy director Tim Toulmin will become acting director after Black's departure in the new year, while consideration is given to a permanent appointment.
Black said: "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."
For the remainder of his time as director, Black will not be dealing with, nor advising on, any complaints of a political nature or which involve politicians of any party.
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