Senior Victorian public servant Michael Hopkins will serve as the National Transport Commission’s CEO for five years.

The NTC was established in 2003 to develop, monitor and maintain nationally consistent land transport reforms.

It advises the Transport and Infrastructure Council and is responsible for boosting the productivity, safety and environmental performance of road, rail and intermodal transport.

Mr Hopkins, who has led strategy and engagement at the NTC since 2019, previously held senior executive roles with the Victorian departments of transport, economic development and public affairs.

 In his new role Mr Hopkins will be tasked with enhancing the NTC’s ability to address the challenges facing the transport sector, transport minister Catherine King said.

NTC chair Carolyn Walsh said the NTC was thrilled to have me Hopkins on board.

“COVID shone a light on just how critical transport is to our way of life, which makes our ongoing work to lead national land transport reform more important than ever,” she said in a statement.

Mr Hopkins takes over from outgoing chief Dimi Rigas.