Argo founded

Argo was founded by chartered accountant, Alf Adamson, and lawyer Kevin Ward QC in Adelaide in 1946 with paid up capital of 10,000 pounds. Kevin Ward was appointed Chairman and Alf Adamson became Argo’s Manager.

Exchange listing

A little over two years after Argo was founded, the Company was listed on the Adelaide Stock Exchange.

Sir Donald Bradman appointed to the Board

Australian cricketing legend Sir Donald Bradman was appointed a Director. He would go on to serve on the Board until 1984, including as Chairman from 1982 to 1984. Argo acquired Austral Plaster Co. Ltd, an Adelaide investment company and the first of many acquisitions to build Argo’s size and become more and more cost-efficient.

First acquisition

Argo acquired Austral Plaster Co. Ltd, an Adelaide investment company which was the first of many acquisitions to build Argo’s size and become more and more cost-efficient.

Steady asset growth

By 1959, the Company’s total assets had increased to $2 million (in today’s currency) through numerous acquisitions of other Australian investment companies, share placements and capital appreciation.

2,000 shareholders

Over the 1950s and 1960s Argo continued to grow through the acquisition of numerous investment companies and by taking over the management of another, Wakefield Investments. Several share placements, including to London-based investors, also contributed to the Company’s expansion over these decades. By 1966, Argo reached a new milestone with the number of shareholders on its register exceeding 2,000.

Rob Patterson

Rob Patterson was appointed as Argo's Company Secretary in 1969. He would go on to become the Managing Director and serve the Company for over 40 years through varying economic and market conditions, and overseeing the remarkable growth of Argo’s assets, operations and shareholders.

25th anniversary

Argo marked its first major milestone in 1971, celebrating 25 years since it was founded. By 1976, Argo’s net operating profit exceeded $1 million for the first time.

First fully franked dividend

With the introduction of Australia’s imputation system in 1987, Argo paid its first franked dividend to shareholders. Argo grew its franking account balance and was able to pay its first fully franked dividend in 1995. Since then, every Argo dividend paid to shareholders has been fully franked.

Sydney office opened

With the acquisition of a Sydney-based investment company, Stoddarts Holdings Limited in 1992, Argo opened its second office. The east coast presence gave Argo increased access to Australia’s capital markets and the many companies headquartered in Sydney.

50th anniversary

1996 marked Argo’s Golden Anniversary. Assets totalled $744 million and there were more than 25,000 shareholders on the register. Shortly after the anniversary, Argo updated its logo adopting a simpler design.

$1 billion of assets

Doubling in less than five years from $500 million, by 1998, Argo’s assets exceeded $1 billion for the time.

DRP introduced

Argo’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan was introduced in 1999 giving shareholders the opportunity to automatically reinvest their dividends to acquire additional shares in the Company.

Major mergers

The turn of the new millennium saw Argo successfully merge with both Wakefield Investments (Australia) Limited and Bounty Investments Limited to significantly increase assets and reduce management costs to the benefit of all shareholders.

Rob Patterson retires

After serving Argo for a remarkable 41 years, including 28 years at the helm, Rob Patterson retires. He is succeeded by Jason Beddow who was appointed Chief Executive Officer.

Third Managing Director appointed

CEO, Jason Beddow, is appointed Managing Director – only the third in Argo’s long history.

Argo Infrastructure launched

Argo launched a new listed investment company, Argo Global Listed Infrastructure (ASX code: ALI) to provide Australian shareholders the opportunity for simple international diversification via the listed investment company structure.

Best LIC award

In 2015, Argo was named the inaugural winner of the Australian Financial Review Smart Investor ‘Best Australian Listed Investment Company.’

75th Anniversary

In 2021, Argo celebrated 75 years of investing for its shareholders. From a small office in Adelaide in 1946 with a handful of investors, by 2021 Argo managed a diverse portfolio of more than $6 billion on behalf of 94,000 loyal shareholders.