Universal Corporation filed a Form 8-K on November 4, 2026, disclosing the appointment of Gregory R. Friedman as a new director and an expansion of the Board of Directors from nine to ten members, both effective immediately.

Key Highlights

  • Board expansion: The Board increased its size to 10 members on November 4, 2026, according to the filing.
  • New director appointed: Gregory R. Friedman was appointed to serve as a new director, effective immediately.
  • Independence determination: The Board determined that Mr. Friedman qualifies as an independent director under New York Stock Exchange Listing Standards and the Company's Corporate Governance Guidelines.
  • Committee assignments: Mr. Friedman is expected to serve on the Audit Committee, the Nominating, Governance and Risk Committee, and the Finance and Pension Investment Committee.
  • Compensation: Mr. Friedman's compensation will be consistent with policies applicable to other non-employee directors, as described in the Company's proxy statement filed July 1, 2026.
  • No special arrangements: The filing states there are no arrangements or understandings between Mr. Friedman and any other person pursuant to which he was selected as a director.

Gregory R. Friedman Joins Universal Corporation's Board of Directors

Universal Corporation (NYSE:UVV), a Virginia-incorporated company headquartered at 9201 Forest Hill Avenue, Richmond, Virginia, disclosed on November 4, 2026, that its Board of Directors voted to increase the Board's size to 10 members and to appoint Gregory R. Friedman as a new director. Both actions took effect immediately, according to the filing.

The filing reports that the Board determined Mr. Friedman meets the independence standards set by the New York Stock Exchange Listing Standards and the Company's Corporate Governance Guidelines. Mr. Friedman is expected to join three committees: the Audit Committee, the Nominating, Governance and Risk Committee, and the Finance and Pension Investment Committee. The company disclosed that his compensation will follow the same policies that apply to the Company's other non-employee directors, as described in the proxy statement for the 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders filed with the SEC on July 1, 2026.

The filing further states that "there are no arrangements or understandings between Mr. Friedman and any other person pursuant to which he was selected as a director," and that no transactions exist between Mr. Friedman and the Company that would require disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K. A press release regarding the appointment was issued on November 4, 2026, and furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to the filing.

What Was Disclosed

Universal Corporation reported the expansion of its Board to 10 members and the appointment of Gregory R. Friedman as an independent director, effective November 4, 2026, with committee assignments to the Audit, Nominating/Governance/Risk, and Finance and Pension Investment Committees.