8-K

UNITED STATES 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 

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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 8, 2015

Morgan Stanley 

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(Exact name of Registrant as specified in Charter)

Delaware	1−11758	36−3145972
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

1585 Broadway, New York, New York 10036 

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(Address of Principal Executive Offices, Including Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (212) 761−4000

(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 (see General Instruction A.2. below):

☐ 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 Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

On December 8, 2015, the Board of Directors (“Board”) of Morgan Stanley (the “Company”) elected Alistair Darling to the Board, effective January 1, 2016. The Board determined that Mr. Darling is independent in accordance with the director independence standards established under the Company’s Corporate Governance Policies.

Mr. Darling will receive compensation as a non−employee director in accordance with the Company’s non−employee director compensation practices described in “Item 1—Election of Directors—Corporate Governance—Director Compensation” of the Company’s Annual Meeting Proxy Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 1, 2015.

The Company’s related press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8−K and is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Item  9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

Exhibit Number	Description
99.1	Press release of the Company, dated December 8, 2015.

SIGNATURES

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.

	MORGAN STANLEY (Registrant)
Date: December 8, 2015	By:	/s/ Martin M. Cohen
		Name: Martin M. Cohen Title: Corporate Secretary

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

	Contact:	Media Relations Michele Davis 212 761 9621
		For Immediate Release

Alistair Darling Elected to Morgan Stanley Board of Directors

NEW YORK, December 8, 2015 – Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) today announced that Alistair Darling has been elected to the Company’s Board of Directors. His appointment is effective January 1, 2016.

Mr. Darling, 62, is a former member of the British Parliament. He served in the government of the United Kingdom from 1997 to 2010 and was Chancellor of the Exchequer from 2007 to 2010.

James Gorman, Chairman and CEO of Morgan Stanley, said, “I am very pleased to welcome Mr. Darling to our Board. He brings strong leadership experience, as well as insight into both the global economy and the global financial system. As Chancellor of the Exchequer he played a central role in responding to the financial crisis. The Board, our management and our shareholders will greatly benefit from his experience and perspective.”

James W. Owens, Chair of the Board’s Nominating and Governance Committee, said, “We extend a warm welcome to Mr. Darling as he joins our Board. We will all benefit from his financial, risk management and regulatory insights.”

Mr. Darling entered the British Parliament in 1987 and served until 2015. He was the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry from 2006 to 2007, the Secretary of State for Transport from 2002 to 2006, the Secretary of State for Scotland from 2003 to 2006, the Secretary of State for Social Security / Work & Pensions from 1998 to 2002, and Chief Secretary to the Treasury from 1997 to 1998. Mr. Darling graduated with a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Aberdeen.

Morgan Stanley is a leading global financial services firm providing a wide range of investment banking, securities, wealth management and investment management services. With offices in more than 43 countries, the Firm's employees serve clients worldwide including corporations, governments, institutions and individuals. For further information about Morgan Stanley, please visit www.morganstanley.com.

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