W. R. Berkley 8-K 2022-06-15

Filed 2022-06-16. 1 sections, 8K characters. Original on sec.gov · Markdown · JSON

Form 8-K

8-K 1 form8-k6152022.htm 8-K

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): June 15, 2022

Commission File Number1-15202

W. R. BERKLEY CORPORATION (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware22-1867895
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
475 Steamboat RoadGreenwichConnecticut06830
(Address of principal executive offices)(Zip Code)
(203)629-3000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

None
Former name, former address and former fiscal year, 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))

Title of Each ClassTrading SymbolName of Each Exchange on Which Registered
Common Stock, par value $.20 per shareWRBNew York Stock Exchange
5.700% Subordinated Debentures due 2058WRB-PENew York Stock Exchange
5.100% Subordinated Debentures due 2059WRB-PFNew York Stock Exchange
4.250% Subordinated Debentures due 2060WRB-PGNew York Stock Exchange
4.125% Subordinated Debentures due 2061WRB-PHNew 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 5.07 Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

W. R. Berkley Corporation (the “Company”) held its Annual Meeting of Stockholders on June 15, 2022. The meeting involved: (i) the election of four directors for terms to expire (a) in the case of nominees W. Robert Berkley, Jr. and Mark L. Shapiro, at the Company’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held in 2023 and until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified, and (b) in the case of nominees Ronald E. Blaylock and Mary C. Farrell, at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held in 2025 and until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified; (ii) a resolution approving an amendment to the Company’s restated certificate of incorporation to increase the authorized number of shares of common stock from 750,000,000 to 1,250,000,000; (iii) a resolution approving, on a non-binding advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers as disclosed in the Company’s proxy statement for the 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or “say-on-pay” vote; and (iv) the ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2022.

The directors elected and the final voting results are as follows:

(i) Election of Directors:

NomineeForAgainstAbstainBroker Non Vote
W. Robert Berkley, Jr.242,648,9883,168,15644,87213,215,901
Ronald E. Blaylock196,998,61848,148,514714,88413,215,901
Mary C. Farrell198,691,88046,449,313720,82313,215,901
Mark L. Shapiro211,311,70433,445,4051,104,90713,215,901

(ii) Resolution Approving an Amendment to the Company’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation to Increase the Authorized Number of Shares of Common Stock from 750,000,000 to 1,250,000,000:

ForAgainstAbstain
212,198,70845,963,062916,147

(iii) Non-Binding Advisory Vote on the Compensation of the Company’s Named Executive Officers (“Say-on-Pay” Vote):

ForAgainstAbstainBroker Non Vote
236,514,5298,945,457402,03013,215,901

(iv) Ratification of the Appointment of KPMG LLP

ForAgainstAbstain
247,428,13811,588,55961,220

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits

Exhibit 3.1 Amendment, dated June 15, 2022, to the Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended.

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.

W. R. BERKLEY CORPORATION

By:/s/ Richard M. Baio
Name:Richard M. Baio
Title:Executive Vice President-
Chief Financial Officer

Date: June 16, 2022