The post of Head of the International Office (originally called 'Director') was created in 1979. The Head was responsible for leading the day-to-day activities of the International Office - work which had previously primarily been undertaken by the Secretary of the Bureau, Robert D. Milne.

In the 1980s and 1990s, the post of Head of the International Office also encompassed the positions of Head of the Foreign Affairs Section of the Conservative Research Department and Secretary General of the International Democrat Union.