Don Argus
Encyclopedia
Donald Robert Argus AC (born 1 August 1938) is an Australia
n businessman, and the former chairman of BHP Billiton
and Brambles
. He stepped down as Chairman in favour of Jacques Nasser in 2010.
Argus spent much of his early career in the banking industry
. He was the general manager of products and service at the National Australia Bank
(NAB) having been at the bank since the 1956. He became the Chief Executive Officer
on 1 October 1990 succeeding Neil "Nobby" Clark. He was credited with leading NAB to recovery from a difficult period in the late 1980s. However, there was criticism of huge financial losses from overseas acquisitions that occurred under his leadership.
He joined the board at BHP in 1996, and in 1999 he assumed the role of chairman at the corporation, where he oversaw its merger with Anglo-African miner Billiton. He was also part of the board of the winemaker Southcorp, but resigned following its acquisition of Rosemont
. In 2007 he was named one of the most influential figures in Australian business by The Bulletin
magazine.
He is a close friend of former Prime Minister John Howard
, and provided substantial financial backing to the Liberal Party
campaign at the 1996 election. Outside of work he is a member of the Queensland cricketer's club.
(AO) in 1998 for service to banking and finance, particularly as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Australia Bank Ltd and for his contributions as a member and supporter of a wide range of community and sporting organisations.
He was awarded the Centenary Medal
in 2001 for service to Australian society through business.
In the Australia Day
Honours of 2010, he was raised to Companion of the Order of Australia (AC), for eminent service to business and commerce through leadership in the mining and finance industries, and to the community through the promotion of philanthropy, and executive roles in conservation, health, charitable and sporting organisations.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n businessman, and the former chairman of BHP Billiton
BHP Billiton
BHP Billiton is a global mining, oil and gas company headquartered in Melbourne, Australia and with a major management office in London, United Kingdom...
and Brambles
Brambles Industries
Brambles Limited is a support services business listed on the Australian Securities Exchange.-History:Brambles traces its history to 1875, when Walter Bramble began his career in Newcastle, north of Sydney, Australia. Brambles Industries Limited first listed in Australia in 1954...
. He stepped down as Chairman in favour of Jacques Nasser in 2010.
Argus spent much of his early career in the banking industry
Bank
A bank is a financial institution that serves as a financial intermediary. The term "bank" may refer to one of several related types of entities:...
. He was the general manager of products and service at the National Australia Bank
National Australia Bank
National Australia Bank is one of the four largest financial institutions in Australia in terms of market capitalisation and customers. NAB is ranked 17th largest bank in the world measured by market capitalisation...
(NAB) having been at the bank since the 1956. He became the Chief Executive Officer
Chief executive officer
A chief executive officer , managing director , Executive Director for non-profit organizations, or chief executive is the highest-ranking corporate officer or administrator in charge of total management of an organization...
on 1 October 1990 succeeding Neil "Nobby" Clark. He was credited with leading NAB to recovery from a difficult period in the late 1980s. However, there was criticism of huge financial losses from overseas acquisitions that occurred under his leadership.
He joined the board at BHP in 1996, and in 1999 he assumed the role of chairman at the corporation, where he oversaw its merger with Anglo-African miner Billiton. He was also part of the board of the winemaker Southcorp, but resigned following its acquisition of Rosemont
Rosemount (wine)
Rosemount is an Australian winery based in Hunter Valley and South Australia, owned by Treasury Wine Estates. At the turn of the 21st century, Rosemount was the second best selling Australian wine brand in the US.-History:...
. In 2007 he was named one of the most influential figures in Australian business by The Bulletin
The Bulletin
The Bulletin was an Australian weekly magazine that was published in Sydney from 1880 until January 2008. It was influential in Australian culture and politics from about 1890 until World War I, the period when it was identified with the "Bulletin school" of Australian literature. Its influence...
magazine.
He is a close friend of former Prime Minister John Howard
John Howard
John Winston Howard AC, SSI, was the 25th Prime Minister of Australia, from 11 March 1996 to 3 December 2007. He was the second-longest serving Australian Prime Minister after Sir Robert Menzies....
, and provided substantial financial backing to the Liberal Party
Liberal Party of Australia
The Liberal Party of Australia is an Australian political party.Founded a year after the 1943 federal election to replace the United Australia Party, the centre-right Liberal Party typically competes with the centre-left Australian Labor Party for political office...
campaign at the 1996 election. Outside of work he is a member of the Queensland cricketer's club.
Honours
Don Argus was appointed an Officer of the Order of AustraliaOrder of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
(AO) in 1998 for service to banking and finance, particularly as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Australia Bank Ltd and for his contributions as a member and supporter of a wide range of community and sporting organisations.
He was awarded the Centenary Medal
Centenary Medal
The Centenary Medal is an award created by the Australian Government in 2001. It was established to commemorate the Centenary of Federation of Australia and to honour people who have made a contribution to Australian society or government...
in 2001 for service to Australian society through business.
In the Australia Day
Australia Day
Australia Day is the official national day of Australia...
Honours of 2010, he was raised to Companion of the Order of Australia (AC), for eminent service to business and commerce through leadership in the mining and finance industries, and to the community through the promotion of philanthropy, and executive roles in conservation, health, charitable and sporting organisations.