Don Argus
Donald Argus | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 1, 1938 |
| Occupation | Business executive |
| Known for | CEO of National Australia Bank, Chairman of BHP and Brambles |
Donald Robert Argus (born 1 August 1938) is a prominent Australian executive, currently serving as chairman of the advisory board for Bank of America Australia and as a member of the advisory board at Monash University's Monash Business School. He was a participant in Bank of America's first Global Advisory Council from 2013 to 2019. Argus held the position of chairman at BHP between 1999 and 2010, and at Brambles from 1999 until 2008. Additionally, he was a director of the Australian Foundation Investment Company from 1999 through 2013 and acted as CEO of National Australia Bank from 1991 to 1999. His education includes attendance at the Anglican Church Grammar School.
Argus’s professional journey is rooted in banking, where he notably guided National Australia Bank through recovery following difficulties in the late 1980s. Having joined NAB in 1956, he ascended to CEO in October 1990. During his tenure, the bank’s market capitalisation expanded significantly from A$5.5 billion to a peak of A$37 billion, while earnings per share rose by 128%.
In 1996, Argus joined BHP’s board and assumed the chairmanship in 1999 when the company’s market capitalisation stood at A$17.28 billion. He played a central role in establishing the dual-listed company arrangement between BHP and the Anglo–Dutch mining firm Billiton. By the time he retired in 2010, BHP Billiton's combined market value had grown to A$226.5 billion.
His previous appointments also include membership on Allianz’s international advisory board, advisory duties for the New York Stock Exchange board, and directorship at Southcorp prior to its acquisition by Rosemount.
Argus co-led the Australian Government’s Policy Transition Group concerning the Mining Resources Rent Tax in 2010 and headed the “Argus Review” evaluating the Australian Cricket Team’s performance for Cricket Australia in 2011. In recognition of his influence, The Bulletin magazine named him among Australia’s most significant business leaders in 2007.
He holds senior fellowship status with the Financial Services Institute of Australasia (FINSIA) and is a Fellow of Certified Practising Accountants Australia (CPA Australia). An alumnus of Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program (AMP), Argus has been awarded honorary doctorates by Monash University, Griffith University, and the University of Queensland. His achievements were further acknowledged when he was inducted into the Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame in 2009.
Honours
- In 1998, Argus was designated an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for his exemplary leadership as Managing Director and CEO of National Australia Bank, alongside his contributions to community and sporting groups.
- He was awarded the Centenary Medal in 2001 recognizing his services to Australian business.
- The 2010 Australia Day Honours saw him promoted to Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) for outstanding leadership within mining and finance sectors, as well as for advancing philanthropy and community involvement.
- His induction into the Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame took place in 2009.
External links
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- 1938 births
- Living people
- Australian chief executives
- Australian chairpersons of corporations
- People educated at Anglican Church Grammar School
- Officers of the Order of Australia
- Companions of the Order of Australia
- Harvard Business School alumni
- Australian expatriates in the United States
- BHP people
- National Australia Bank