The North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency has named Anthony Beven as acting chief executive officer, the sixth boss of the troubled agency in about 18 months, it has been reported.

Mr Beven is a lawyer who most recently worked at Grant Thornton, and also served as the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations for a decade, and worked for the Australian Securities and Investments Commission for 20 years, including ten years in the Northern Territory.

“NAAJA is an incredibly important organisation in the Territory, representing clients who are among the most vulnerable and over-incarcerated population nationwide,” the National Indigenous Times reported he said.

“I have worked closely with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, organisations and communities around Australia, and I am driven to make a positive contribution.

“I look forward to continuing NAAJA’s role in contributing to First Nations’ justice policy development, and empowering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.”

His appointment comes after acting CEO Phil Brown quit suddenly in mid-July only four months into the role. Mr Brown will return to being the deputy CEO.

The succession of CEOs began after long-time boss Priscilla Atkins, who won an unfair dismissal claim against NAAJA in late June, was suspended in November 2022 and sacked in February 2023.

Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory John Paterson took over the acting CEO role in February last year after the departure of Ms Atkins, and he lasted for six months before Danila Dilba Health Service CEO, and former NT Coordinator General of Remote Service Provision, Olga Havnen took over in August last year.

The ABC reported she was contracted until November 30 last year.

Darryl Pearce was appointed that month but left the acting CEO role at the end of February, after telling the media in January he had told the board that he would come in for three months to stabilise the agency but would “stick around for as long as they want me”.

He was replaced by Mr Brown who is the nephew of the then-NAAJA chair, and current deputy chair Colleen Rosas.

In Ms Atkins’ unfair dismal case Justice Natalie Charlesworth found Ms Rosas gave “dubious”, “implausible” and “startling” evidence under oath.

Ms Rosas denied any wrongdoing.

The organisation appointed Arrernte man Hugh Woodbury as chairperson in early April – replacing Ms Rosas – despite knowing he had been charged with domestic violence.

There was also a revelation that the NT government was trying to recoup almost $2.7 million in unspent funds for the financial year 2022-23.