Former BT Financial Group chief executive, Ian Martin, has taken on the top board role at Argo Investments after chairman Chris Harris continues plans to retired on February 29.

Chair for 14 years, Harris and non-executive director, Marina Darling, will retire at the end of February with Martin taking over the role as chairman on March 1 as part of Argo's board renewal and succession planning process which begun with the appointment of new chief executive Jason Beddow in 2010.

Jocelyn Morton will replace Darling on the board.

Martin has been an Argo board member since 2004. Prior to this, he held senior roles in investment management including 17 years with BT as chief investment officer, chief executive and global head of investment management for Bankers Trust Corporation.

Martin was also part of the Cooper Review panel.