Former Melbourne Federation Square boss Suzana Bishop has been appointed as the Northern Territory Major Events Company chief executive officer following the departure of Tim Watsford, the company’s chairman has announced.

In a statement NTMEC board chairman Alistair Feehan said Ms Bishop, who is from Victoria, had 25 years of experience in the tourism and events industry and for the last four years had been the Federation Square CEO.

And she had also worked at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, the Australian Grand Prix and The Royal Melbourne Show.

Mr Feehan said she had also been on the Committee for Melbourne’s Future Focus Group program, was a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and had a masters in advertising and an executive MBA from RMIT University.

Ms Bishop has also served in different task forces and boards such as the Victorian Tourism Industry Council, Canberra International Music Festival Board, Port of Echuca, and Meetings and Events of Australia Board, Mr Feehan said.

“With years of experience in delivering destination events and experience strategies, we know Suzana will be a strong advocate for delivering exceptional events that drive visitation and generate incredible results for the Territory economy,” he said.

While Ms Bishop said she was looking forward to working with the NTMEC team and key stakeholders.

“We will ensure that the Territory continues delivering high calibre events that give interstate visitors a reason to experience everything from the top end, red centre, and everything in between,” she said.

In September a court settlement was reached between 12 burns victims who were sprayed with burning fuel and rubber from a car doing burnouts at the 2019 Red Centre Nats, and the organisers of the event.

The burns victims were forced to take Federal Court action.against the respondents, Car Festivals Pty Ltd, the Northern Territory Major Events Company, and Summernats Pty Ltd, the companies that ran the event.

Mr Feehan also thanked Mr Watsford for his “steady and innovative leadership” at NTMEC since 2018.