Mark E. Watson III News

Argo Ex-CEO Watson to Pay $450K to SEC for Not Disclosing $5.3M in Personal Perks

The Securities and Exchange Commission has settled with former Argo Group chief executive officer and president Mark Watson III over his role in the firm’s failure to disclose more than $5.3 million worth of perks and personal benefits. The SEC …

Argo Group to Pay $900,000 to SEC for Failing to Fully Disclose CEO Perks

Argo Group International Holdings will pay $900,000 to the Securities and Exchange Commission for failing to fully disclose perks and benefits provided to its former chief executive officer. In proxy statements filed from 2014 through 2018, Argo failed to disclose …

Argo Warns of $114M Underwriting Loss, Extra Costs From Watson’s Departure

Argo Group International Holdings Ltd. is warning that its 2019 fourth quarter will feature some “unacceptable” results, particularly a $114 million underwriting loss. Separately, there are also added expenses relating to the abrupt departure of controversial former CEO Mark Watson …

Argo and Shareholder Voce Lay Down Their Swords, Agree to 3 New Board Members

Argo Group International Holdings Ltd., the Bermuda-based re/insurer, announced it has agreed with activist shareholder Voce Capital Management to change the composition of Argo’s board with the addition of three new directors. The agreement ends a contentious dispute with Voce, …

Argo Activist Shareholder Voce Renews Battle to Elect Independent Board Members

Activist shareholder Voce Capital Management LLC is renewing its fight with the board of Argo Group International Holdings Ltd. This time, Voce is calling for a special meeting of Argo shareholders to elect five independent board members. Argo has been …

Investors React Positively to Argo CEO’s Exit, Despite Q3 Net Loss

The day after Argo Group International Holdings announced CEO Mark Watson III was retiring “immediately,” investors seemed ecstatic, driving the company’s stock price up 5.6 percent on Nov. 6. Watson’s departure as CEO is a good thing for the bigger …

AM Best Reviews Argo Group’s Ratings in Reaction to SEC Probe, Watson Exit

AM Best has placed the credit ratings of Argo Group International Holdings Ltd. and its subsidiaries under review with negative implications. These actions are a reaction to the sudden departure of Mark E. Watson III, Argo’s chief executive officer, but …

Argo Group CEO Watson Steps Down as SEC Continues Its Probe of Insurer

Argo Group International Holdings Ltd. announced the retirement of Mark E. Watson III as chief executive officer, effective immediately. Kevin J. Rehnberg has been named interim chief executive officer, subject to Bermuda regulatory approval. Watson’s exit comes on the heels …

Argo Shareholder Voce Ends Battle over Board Members, Alleges ‘Underhanded Tactics’

An activist Argo shareholder that had accused the insurer of extravagant spending and other corporate missteps has ended its battle to nominate a slate of new board members. Voce Capital Management said on May 21 it has withdrawn its nominations …

Activist Hedge Fund Voce Urges Argo to Cut $100M in Expenses, Nominates Directors

An activist hedge fund on Tuesday nominated five directors and urged insurance company Argo Group International Holdings Ltd to cut $100 million in expenses, including corporate jets and housing for its chief executive. Voce Capital Management LLC wants Argo shareholders …