QVM appoints new chief executive 

An Alpine Resorts Victoria manager has been appointed as Queen Victoria Market’s chief executive, who will take over the reins in February. 

Matt Elliott replaces Stan Liacos who announced he was stepping down as CEO last October after four years in the top job, saying it was the “right time to seek new challenges”.

Mr Liacos was lauded for having steered the iconic market and its 600-plus traders through the pandemic, while playing a pivotal role with the City of Melbourne in its $268 million market precinct renewal program. 

Mr Elliott is currently the sales and development manager at Alpine Resorts Victoria for Mt Buller, where he has been responsible for visitor attraction and experience at Victoria’s most popular alpine resort.

QVM board chair Jane Fenton said Mr Elliott brought a mix of skills, including his previous senior leadership position at the Melbourne Market Authority (MMA), to guide Queen Victoria Market forward and ensuring it remained a treasured destination.   

As the MMA’s commercial and business development Manager, Mr Elliott was responsible for enhancing the wholesale market experience and expanding its customer base.

“He understands markets and market culture and has strong international links across the world market community after successfully working in partnership with Queen Victoria Market in his role at Melbourne Market Authority to stage the World Union of Markets International Congress in Melbourne in 2017,” Ms Fenton said.

“His experience gives him deep insights into the pressures and issues facing traders, the workings of end-to-end supply chains, the market’s competitors, consumer preferences, the visitor economy, and the need to differentiate the market from other shopping, cultural and leisure precincts. He understands that traders are the fabric of the market.”

Mr Elliott expressed his delight in accepting his new role.  

“I look forward to working with staff, the board, traders, partners, the wider market community and our shareholder, the City of Melbourne, to ensure the brightest future for the Queen Victroia Market in a rapidly changing retail environment in fast developing inner-city Melbourne,” he said.

Mr Elliott will begin his role on February 27. •

Caption: Matt Elliott.