Background

deListed was established in 2002 by Tony McLean who had been Chief Executive of the Australian Shareholders’ Association (ASA) for the preceding nine years.

While the ASA's focus at that time was understandably on the larger listed companies, it was apparent that shareholders experienced more than just the loss of their investment in the wake of company failure.

They were almost always left in the dark regarding the fate of their companies. The market was rarely informed of developments. Company directors denied responsibility and could not be found. Shareholders did not know who was responsible. They were unable to establish if there was any chance of a recovery. It was difficult to track down external administrators. Shareholders often waited years for a liquidator’s declaration, a pre-requisite then, to claiming the capital loss.

deListed was set up initially to address these issues.

Developments since inception

In May 2003, deListed began offering a professional service of acquiring worthless securities to facilitate the crystallisation of a capital loss for Capital Gains Tax purposes.

In November 2004, deListed began limited coverage of the New Zealand market and other small Australian exchanges.

In June 2006, deListed integrated listed companies with its existing databases to provide details of developments with suspended companies and a link from past to present with a particular focus on changes of name and other corporate actions.

In July 2008, deListed was absorbed into Investogain Pty Limited, a new company formed by Tony and Brendan Birthistle. Mr Birthistle is a former Chairman of the ASA.

In January 2012, new websites were launched for deListed Australia and InvestoGain Australia and their counterparts in New Zealand.