8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

FORM 8-K

Current Report

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): December 11, 2007

UNIVERSAL CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Virginia	1-652	54-0414210
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

1501 North Hamilton Street Richmond, Virginia	23230
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 1501 North Hamilton Street

Richmond, Virginia

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Principle Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Principal Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

On December 11, 2007, Hartwell H. Roper announced his intention to retire as Chief Financial Officer of the Registrant effective August 31, 2008. Also on December 11, 2007, the Registrant’s Board of Directors elected David C. Moore to succeed Mr. Roper as Chief Financial Officer effective September 1, 2008. Mr. Moore’s current compensation is described in the Registrant’s proxy statement for the 2007 annual meeting of shareholders as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 28, 2007. There were no changes to his compensation in connection with this management change. The Registrant and Mr. Moore are currently parties to an Employment Agreement dated November 17, 2006. There were no amendments to the Employment Agreement in connection with this management change. A detailed description of the terms of the Employment Agreement with Mr. Moore was included in the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 24, 2006.

A copy of the press release announcing this management change is being filed as Exhibit 99.1 to this report.

Item 8.01. Other Events.

On December 11, 2007, the Registrant issued a press release announcing the planned retirement of Hartwell H. Roper and the election of David C. Moore as the Registrant’s Chief Financial Officer. The press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Report and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

Exhibit No.	Description
99.1	Press Release issued by Universal Corporation, dated December 11, 2007.*
*  Filed herewith

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

	UNIVERSAL CORPORATION
Date: December 11, 2007	By:	/s/ Preston D. Wigner
	Name:	Preston D. Wigner
	Title:	Vice President, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer

2

Exhibit Index

Exhibit No.	Description
99.1	Press Release issued by Universal Corporation, dated December 11, 2007.*

* Filed herewith

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

P.O. Box 25099 Richmond, VA 23260 Ÿ phone: (804) 359-9311 Ÿ fax (804) 254-3594

PRESS RELEASE

CONTACT		RELEASE
Karen M. L. Whelan		Immediate
Phone:	(804) 359-9311
Fax:	(804) 254-3594
Email:	investor@universalleaf.com

Universal Corporation’s Hartwell H. Roper to Retire as CFO.

David C. Moore Named Successor.

Richmond, VA, December 11, 2007 / PRNEWSWIRE

Hartwell H. Roper, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Universal Corporation, has announced his plans to retire effective August 31, 2008. The Board of Directors has elected David C. Moore, currently Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer, to succeed Mr. Roper as Chief Financial Officer as of September 1, 2008.

Mr. Moore has been with Universal since 1978, and began his career in the areas of finance and international operations. He served the company in assignments of increasing complexity and responsibility, which included oversight of the company’s European offices from 1999 to 2005, and became Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of Universal Corporation in April 2006.

Mr. Roper joined Universal in 1974. He became Vice President and Controller of the predecessor company in 1985 and Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Universal Corporation in 1992.

Mr. Roper said, “I have spent over 33 years with Universal in a very fulfilling career. I have had the privilege of working with talented and principled colleagues from all over the world. David Moore is a Universal veteran with excellent knowledge of our operations and strong relationships throughout the company. He is a proven leader. I will retire with full confidence in David and his team.”

Mr. Moore noted, “I am honored to be selected by our Board of Directors. I have worked closely with Hart Roper for many years, and I am pleased to take on the challenging role of Chief Financial Officer. Hart has built a strong team of loyal, dedicated professionals. With their support, I am confident that we can meet the demands of our future.”

Additional information

Headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, Universal Corporation is one of the world’s leading tobacco merchants and processors and conducts business in more than 35 countries. Its revenues from continuing operations for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, were $2.0 billion. For more information on Universal Corporation, visit its web site at www.universalcorp.com.

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