MORGAN STANLEY | Separate Chair & CEO at MORGAN STANLEY

Status
Filed
Previous AGM date
Resolution details
Company ticker
MS
Lead filer
John Chevedden
Resolution ask
Adopt or amend a policy
ESG theme
  • Governance
ESG sub-theme
  • CEO / chair duality
Type of vote
Shareholder proposal
Filer type
Shareholder
Company sector
Financials
Company HQ country
United States
Resolved clause
RESOLVED : Shareholders request that the Board of Directors adopt an enduring policy, and amend the governing documents as necessary including the Corporate Governance Guidelines in order that 2 separate people hold the office of the Chairman and the office of the CEO as soon as possible.
Supporting statement
The Chairman of the Board shall be an Independent Director. An independent Lead Director shall not be a substitute for an independent Board Chairman. The Board shall have the discretion to select an interim Chairman of the Board, who is not an Independent Director, to serve while the Board is required to seek an Independent Chairman of the Board on an accelerated basis. This policy could be phased in when there is a contract renewal for our current CEO or for the next CEO transition although it is better to adopt it now to obtain the maximum benefit. An independent Board Chairman at all times improves corporate governance by bringing impartiality, objective oversight, and external expertise to board decisions, mitigating conflicts of interest, enhancing transparency, and boosting shareholder confidence. This detached perspective allows the chairman to focus on shareholder interests , strengthen management accountability, and provide critical checks and balances, ultimately contributing to long-term sustainability and credibility. An independent Board Chairman could also help Morgan Stanley (MS) deal with headwinds like those that emerged in 2025: Morgan Stanley is under investigation by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) regarding its wealth management client vetting procedures concerning potential money-laundering risks. MS projected earnings and revenue growth rates (4.1% and 4.7% per year, respectively) were forecast to lag significantly behind the broader U.S. market averages (15.6% and 10%). This slower pace is partly attributed to intensifying competition from low-fee products and digital disruptors. Morgan Stanley planned to lay off 2,000 employees. MS incurred $144 million in severance costs related to these cuts. A national law firm is investigating potential claims of wrongful termination and discrimination related to these layoffs. Morgan Stanley was among several major financial institutions affected by a cyberattack on SitusAMC, a third-party vendor that handles sensitive mortgage data, raising concerns about potential client data exposure. Some clients experienced significant difficulties with account access and customer service following the integration of E-Trade operations into Morgan Stanley, leading to user complaints and discussions about potential class-action suits.

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