The new CEO of the Australian Rugby Union Bill Pulverprepares to address the media in Sydney this afternoon. Picture: Getty Images Source: Getty Images
Bill Pulver, left, with daughter Madeleine and wife Belinda outside their house in Clifton Gardens, Sydney, following the collar bomb ordeal. Source: The Courier-Mail
SYDNEY businessman Bill Pulver, the father of collar bomb victim Madeleine and of Australian Schoolboys representative Angus, has been named as the Australian Rugby Union's new chief executive officer.
Pulver, a data expert with a flair for marketing, made his fortune when his company NetRatings soared during the internet boom.
The company was taken over by Nielsen in 2007 and Pulver more recently has worked as CEO of Appen Butler Hill, which produces speech software and other language technology products in more than 50 languages.
A product of Sydney’s Shore school and the University of NSW, Pulver takes over as ARU boss from John O’Neill, who had held the position for all but three of the last 16 years.
''I'm 53 years old and I think I've finally discovered what I wanted to do with my life,'' Pulver said at a news conference this afternoon in Sydney.
''I have for the last 20 years been a chief executive working in a very-diverse range of industries and now I feel incredibly privileged to be able to take those CEO skills and apply them to the game I love.''
Pulver was the target of an extortion attempt in August 2011 when Paul Douglas Peters attached a fake collar bomb around the neck of his daughter Madeline. Peters last year was sentenced to 13 years and six months' jail over the incident, with a minimum of 10 years.
Pulver has a long connection with the Mosman Junior Rugby Club and is also a life member of the NSW Rugby Club.
Pulver presented a stoic and calm presence in his role as family spokesman immediately after the collar bomb incident, as well as during and after the high-profile trial.
After the trial and sentencing of Paul Peters, Pulver said his family was relieved but still confused as to motive.
''There's only one person who really knows why Maddie ended up at the receiving end of his device,'' Pulver said of Peters.
''He chose not to give evidence - and that is one outstanding issue that I guess we will never get answered.''
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