That moment was 20 years ago. This week, Kevin retires after four decades in stockbroking, leaving behind a firm that has grown to more than 65 staff across Perth and Sydney, with research coverage spanning over 90 stocks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
BUILDING SOMETHING<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Kevin arrived with two decades of dealing experience and a seat on the board of a previous brokerage. He knew what a growing firm looked like, and he wanted to help build another one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMy conditions were pretty simple. I wanted to own part of the company, and I wanted to sit on the board. I didn\u2019t just want to be an employee. I felt I could contribute.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Over the years, he has seen Argonaut evolve into a fully integrated investment house spanning stockbroking, research, corporate finance, and funds management. For Kevin, that evolution is central to what the firm has become.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe\u2019re not just a broking firm that buys and sells shares. We help companies grow \u2014 companies that build mines, employ people, and generate royalties for Western Australia. That became the ethos of Argonaut.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n He also points to the expansion of research coverage as a key milestone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe\u2019ve gone from 30 stocks to over 95. That gives global institutional clients confidence that we really understand these commodity markets. We began with a great business. Now we\u2019ve got an even greater one.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n A STEADY PRESENCE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Kevin is typically understated about his own role. Asked what he is most proud of, he naturally leans on a sporting analogy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cEvery team has its stars, but every team needs a halfback flanker or someone in defence. I\u2019ve tried to be that steady, consistent voice \u2014 someone people can come to. The best supporting actor, so to speak.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Colleagues describe him differently. Over 20 years, Kevin has served on the Argonaut board, helped shape its compliance culture, and become one of the most trusted and approachable senior figures in the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHaving worked closely with Kevin since those early days of the firm, it\u2019s hard to imagine Argonaut without seeing him every day. He\u2019s been a constant and appreciated presence and someone you could always lean on when things were moving fast. He\u2019s made a lasting contribution to the culture and direction of Argonaut. I look forward to Kevin remaining as a non-executive director.\u201d<\/em> \u201cI\u2019ve had the privilege of working alongside Kevin for most of my career. What stands out is how consistently he puts the team first. He is always someone people turn to for guidance and perspective. That kind of presence is incredibly valuable.\u201d<\/em> WHAT COMES NEXT<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Kevin will remain a shareholder and non-executive director and leaves confident in the firm\u2019s direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe had a record year last year, and we will beat it this year. There\u2019s no reason Argonaut can\u2019t continue to grow.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n For those earlier in their careers, his advice is simple:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou\u2019re surrounded by talented people. Ask questions, use that knowledge, and if you want to grow, you\u2019ll get the support to do it. There\u2019s no ceiling here.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n After 40 years in markets, Kevin Johnson says the timing feels right to step away as a full time executive, leaving Argonaut in the hands of the next generation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kevin Johnson officially retires from Argonaut on 30 June 2026 after 20 years as an Executive Director and senior member of the private client dealing desk. Kevin will remain a shareholder and Non-Executive Director.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n As Kevin Johnson completes his final day at Argonaut as a full time executive, we reflect on two decades of contribution to the firm he helped shape during a period of significant growth and change.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":17810,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-17809","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
\u2014 Eddie Rigg, Executive Chairman<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 Greg Southee, CEO<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.argonaut.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/KJ-Retirement_News-Thumbnail.jpg\")
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