Argo Group Appoints Two Industry Veterans to Its Finance Team

HAMILTON, Bermuda--(Business Wire)--
Argo Group International Holdings, Ltd. (NasdaqGS: AGII), an international
underwriter of specialty insurance and reinsurance products, is pleased to
announce two officer appointments to its finance division.

* N. James Tees as chief accounting officer and treasurer, and
* Rip Reeves as chief investment officer.

Both will report to Argo Group CFO Jay Bullock.

"Both Jim and Rip are exceptional additions to our finance and investment
teams," said Mr. Bullock. "Jim`s knowledge and experience in the Bermuda
insurance market and Rip`s broad financial background and experience managing
insurance assets will be of great benefit to the company. I`m pleased to welcome
both to Argo Group."

Mr. Tees has 18 years experience working in financial positions for insurance
and reinsurance companies. He comes to Argo Group from Max Capital Group, where
he most recently held the position of EVP of finance and investments. Prior to
Max Capital, Mr. Tees held the position of VP and controller for Stockton
Holdings, following 11 years with Coopers & Lybrand. He holds a bachelor of
science in accounting from the School of Management at the University of
Scranton in Pennsylvania and has the designation of certified public accountant.

Mr. Reeves has 25 years experience in portfolio management, sales and trading
both on Wall Street and at investment firms. Prior to Argo Group, Mr. Reeves
spent nine years as a senior portfolio manager for insurance clients at Standish
Mellon Asset Management. He has also managed insurance assets at Scudder,
Stevens and Clark and pension and insurance assets at J.P. Morgan Investment
Management. Mr. Reeves holds a bachelor of science in marketing and an MBA, both
from Louisiana State University.

ABOUT ARGO GROUP INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, LTD.

Argo Group International Holdings, Ltd. (NasdaqGS: AGII) is an international
underwriter of specialty insurance and reinsurance products in the property and
casualty market. Argo Group offers a full line of high-quality products and
services designed to meet the unique coverage and claims handling needs of
businesses in four primary segments: Excess & Surplus Lines, Commercial
Specialty, Reinsurance, and International Specialty. Information on Argo Group
and its subsidiaries is available at www.argolimited.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains certain statements that are "forward-looking
statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and
Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such statements
are qualified by the inherent risks and uncertainties surrounding future
expectations generally and also may materially differ from actual future
experience involving any one or more of such statements. For a more detailed
discussion of such risks and uncertainties, see Argo Group's filings with the
SEC. The inclusion of a forward-looking statement herein should not be regarded
as a representation by Argo Group that Argo Group's objectives will be achieved.
Argo Group undertakes no obligation to publicly update forward-looking
statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Argo Group International Holdings, Ltd.
John Narraway, 441-278-3704
VP, Corporate Marketing Communications

Copyright Business Wire 2009