Morgan Stanley Direct Lending Fund 8-K

What Happened

• Morgan Stanley Direct Lending Fund (MSDL) filed an 8-K (Item 5.02) reporting that on December 22, 2025 Gauranga Pal notified the Board of his resignation as the Company’s Chief Compliance Officer, effective January 1, 2026. Mr. Pal’s resignation is not due to any disagreement with the Company and he will continue to serve as Executive Director of Morgan Stanley Investment Management.
• The Board also announced on December 22, 2025 the appointment of Hope Brown, age 52, as the Company’s Chief Compliance Officer effective January 1, 2026. Ms. Brown currently serves as Executive Director and Chief Compliance Officer for the Calvert Funds and is Global Head of ESG Compliance Advisory for Morgan Stanley Investment Management.

Key Details

• Date of notice/appointments: December 22, 2025; effective date for resignation and appointment: January 1, 2026.
• Outgoing CCO: Gauranga Pal — resignation not due to any disagreement; remains Executive Director at Morgan Stanley Investment Management.
• Incoming CCO: Hope Brown — experience since 1995 in investment company, adviser and broker-dealer compliance; currently CCO for Calvert Funds and appointed CCO for several related business development companies effective Jan 1, 2026.
• No related-party arrangements or reportable transactions involving Ms. Brown were disclosed in the filing.

Why It Matters

• This is a compliance leadership change: investors should note a new Chief Compliance Officer will oversee the fund’s compliance program and vendor/provider oversight beginning Jan 1, 2026.
• The filing states the change is orderly (not due to disagreement) and highlights continuity across Morgan Stanley investment vehicles because Ms. Brown already serves in senior compliance roles for related funds and for Morgan Stanley Investment Management.