The Australian Rugby Union have appointed John Pulver as their new chief executive as they prepare to welcome the Lions this summer.
Pulver has been handed the role after the resignation of John O’Neill back in October and will officially take over the post on February 1.
The 53-year-old brings an extensive business CV with global experience in areas such as marketing and internet media research but he will have just four months to settle into the role before Britain and Ireland’s elite come calling in early June.
"The ARU Board was looking for a specific skill set and, benchmarking against those criteria, we have found the right man for the job," said chairman Michael Hawker.
"We wanted someone with proven commercial success at CEO level, with international business experience and a love of rugby.
"The Board also set priorities around good communication skills and an understanding of the world of sports marketing and media."
Pulver, who was in the news in August 2011 when a stranger broke into his home and placed what he claimed was a collar bomb around his daughter’s neck, can’t wait to get started after describing his appointment as a ‘dream come true’.
"I'm 53-years-old and I think I have finally discovered what I think I want to do with my life," added Pulver.
"For the past 20 years I have been a CEO working in a diverse range of industries and now I feel very privileged to be taking on the role of CEO of the game I love.
"I feel today like I am the luckiest man alive… I'm now a leading administrator of the game they play in heaven. I'm simply delighted to have the opportunity to play a role.
"In a way I feel partly that it is a civic duty. My love of rugby is so deep that I'm just so excited about playing a role in allowing the game to develop."
