Morgan Stanley Direct Lending Fund (NYSE: MSDL) appoints Hope Brown as CCO

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Morgan Stanley Direct Lending Fund reported a planned change in its compliance leadership. On December 22, 2025, Gauranga Pal notified the Board that he will resign as the Company’s Chief Compliance Officer, effective January 1, 2026. The Company states that his resignation is not the result of any disagreement with the Company, and he will continue to serve as an Executive Director of Morgan Stanley Investment Management.

Effective the same date, the Board appointed Hope Brown, age 52, as the new Chief Compliance Officer. She has worked in the financial industry since 1995 and currently serves as Executive Director and Chief Compliance Officer for the Calvert Funds, as well as Global Head of ESG Compliance Advisory for Morgan Stanley Investment Management. The Company notes there are no arrangements or family relationships tied to her appointment and no related-party transactions requiring disclosure.

false 0001782524 0001782524 2025-12-22 2025-12-22

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 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 22, 2025

Morgan Stanley Direct Lending Fund

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware		814-01332		84-2009506
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)		(Commission File Number)		(IRS Employer Identification Number)
1585 Broadway New York, NY				10036
(Address of principal executive offices)				(Zip Code)

1 (212) 761-4000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable

(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))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class		Trading Symbol(s)		Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share		MSDL		The New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

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

On December 22, 2025, Gauranga Pal notified the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Morgan Stanley Direct Lending Fund (the “Company”) of his resignation as the Company’s Chief Compliance Officer, effective as of January 1, 2026. Mr. Pal’s resignation is not a result of any disagreement with the Company. Mr. Pal will continue to serve as Executive Director of Morgan Stanley Investment Management.

On December 22, 2025, the Board appointed Hope Brown as Chief Compliance Officer of the Company effective as of January 1, 2026.

Ms. Brown, 52, has worked in the financial industry since 1995, and has experience in investment company, investment adviser and broker-dealer compliance as well as risk management and vendor management and oversight. Ms. Brown also serves as an Executive Director and Chief Compliance Officer for the Calvert Funds, which are open-end investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and managed by a wholly owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley (“Calvert Funds”). Ms. Brown joined Calvert in 2014 and is responsible for all aspects of the Calvert Funds’ compliance program including the development and administration of Calvert Funds’ policies and procedures, and the oversight of the Calvert Funds’ primary service providers. On December 22, 2025, Ms. Brown was also appointed as Chief Compliance Officer of each of SL Investment Fund II LLC, T Series Middle Market Loan Fund LLC, LGAM Private Credit LLC, North Haven Private Income Fund LLC and North Haven Private Income Fund A LLC, each a business development company that has the same investment adviser as the Company, effective as of January 1, 2026. In addition, Hope is also the Global Head of ESG Compliance Advisory for Morgan Stanley Investment Management. In this role, she is responsible for supporting the global ESG compliance program for the firm. Prior to joining Calvert, Ms. Brown was associated with Wilmington Trust Investment Advisors, Inc. where she served as Vice President, Chief Compliance Officer for the Wilmington Funds. Prior to that, she spent five years as an Assistant Vice President, Risk Management and Compliance Lead Manager, at T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. Ms. Brown is the co-chair of the Investment Company Institute Chief Compliance Officer Committee. She also currently serves on the Board of Directors of the National Society of Compliance Professionals and University System of Maryland Foundation. Ms. Brown graduated cum laude with a BA in English from the University of Maryland, College Park.

There is no arrangement or understanding between Ms. Brown and any other person pursuant to which she was appointed as Chief Compliance Officer, and Ms. Brown has no family relationships with any of the Company’s directors or executive officers. Further, with regard to Ms. Brown, there are no transactions since the beginning of the Company’s last fiscal year, or any currently proposed transaction, in which the Company is a participant that would require disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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.

Dated: December 23, 2025				MORGAN STANLEY DIRECT LENDING FUND
				By:		/s/ Orit Mizrachi
						Orit Mizrachi
						Co-President and Chief Operating Officer

FAQ

What leadership change did Morgan Stanley Direct Lending Fund (MSDL) disclose?

The Company disclosed that Gauranga Pal will resign as Chief Compliance Officer effective January 1, 2026, and that the Board appointed Hope Brown as the new Chief Compliance Officer effective the same date.

Did Morgan Stanley Direct Lending Fund (MSDL) report any disagreement related to the Chief Compliance Officer’s resignation?

The Company states that Mr. Pal’s resignation is not a result of any disagreement with Morgan Stanley Direct Lending Fund.

Who is Hope Brown, the new Chief Compliance Officer of Morgan Stanley Direct Lending Fund (MSDL)?

Hope Brown, age 52, has worked in the financial industry since 1995 and has extensive experience in investment company, investment adviser and broker-dealer compliance, risk management, and vendor oversight. She also serves as Executive Director and Chief Compliance Officer for the Calvert Funds and as Global Head of ESG Compliance Advisory for Morgan Stanley Investment Management.

Does Hope Brown have any related-party or family relationships with Morgan Stanley Direct Lending Fund (MSDL) insiders?

The Company states there is no arrangement or understanding with any other person regarding her appointment, no family relationships with the Company’s directors or executive officers, and no transactions requiring disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.

Will Gauranga Pal remain affiliated with Morgan Stanley after leaving the Chief Compliance Officer role at MSDL?

Yes. The filing notes that Mr. Pal will continue to serve as Executive Director of Morgan Stanley Investment Management after his resignation as Chief Compliance Officer of Morgan Stanley Direct Lending Fund.

What other roles will Hope Brown hold alongside being Chief Compliance Officer of MSDL?

In addition to becoming Chief Compliance Officer of Morgan Stanley Direct Lending Fund, Hope Brown was appointed Chief Compliance Officer of several affiliated business development companies, including SL Investment Fund II LLC and others, effective January 1, 2026, and she continues her roles with the Calvert Funds and as Global Head of ESG Compliance Advisory.