Jonathan Collett takes up his position on 23 November, having worked as head of comms at the Advertising Association for two years.

He follows chairman of the PCC Baroness Buscombe, who joined from being chief executive of the Advertising Association in April.

Buscombe said: ‘Bringing Jonathan in is part of a concerted strategy to increase the profile of the PCC and to build trust in the crucial work we do.’

Collett will develop and direct communications strategy for the PCC and promote the press regulatory system to politicians, opinion formers and the general public.

Collett was formerly public affairs manager at News International. He has also been press spokesman for Michael Howard, when he was leader of the Conservative Party.