SCHEDULE 14A
(Rule 14a-101)
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A
INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. )
Filed by the
Registrant ☒
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ☐
Check the appropriate box:
| ☐ |
Preliminary Proxy Statement |
| ☐ |
Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule
14a-6(e)(2)) |
| ☒ |
Definitive Proxy Statement |
| ☐ |
Definitive Additional Materials |
| ☐ |
Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-11(c) or Section 240.14a-12 |
WESTERN ASSET DIVERSIFIED INCOME FUND
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
| ☐ |
Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. |
| ☐ |
Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
| ☐ |
Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule
0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by the registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
|
WESTERN ASSET DIVERSIFIED INCOME
FUND
(NYSE: WDI)
620
Eighth Avenue, 47th Floor, New York, New York 10018
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
March 6, 2024
To the Shareholders:
The Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Meeting”) of Western Asset Diversified Income Fund (the “Fund”) will be held at 280 Park
Avenue, New York, New York, on Friday, April 12, 2024 at 10:00 a.m., New York time, for the following purposes:
| |
1. |
A proposal to elect two Class III Trustees to the Fund’s Board of Trustees (Proposal No. 1); and
|
| |
2. |
A proposal to ratify the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”) as independent registered public
accountants of the Fund for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 (Proposal No. 2); and |
| |
3. |
The transaction of such other business as may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournments or postponements
thereof. |
If it is determined that the Meeting will be held at a different time or in a different location or format (i.e., a
virtual or hybrid meeting), an announcement of any such updates will be provided by means of a press release, which will be posted on our website (www.franklintempleton.com/investments/options/closed-end-funds). We encourage you to check the website
prior to the Meeting if you plan to attend the Meeting. An announcement of any change will also be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission via its EDGAR system. You do not need to attend the Meeting if you submit your votes on the
proposals by proxy promptly.
The Board of Trustees has fixed the close of business on February 7, 2024 as the record date for the
determination of shareholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof.
By Order of the
Board of Trustees
Marc A. De Oliveira
Secretary
March 6, 2024
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOUR SHARES BE REPRESENTED AT THE MEETING IN PERSON OR BY PROXY; IF YOU DO NOT
EXPECT TO ATTEND THE MEETING, PLEASE COMPLETE, DATE, SIGN AND RETURN THE PROXY CARD (which will be made available to you separately) OR PROVIDE VOTING INSTRUCTIONS BY TELEPHONE OR VIA THE INTERNET.
Instructions for Signing Proxy Cards
The following general rules for signing proxy cards may be of assistance to you and avoid the time and expense to the Fund invalidating your vote if you
fail to sign your proxy card properly.
| |
1. |
Individual Accounts: Sign your name exactly as it appears in the registration on the proxy card.
|
| |
2. |
Joint Accounts: Either party may sign, but the name of the party signing should conform exactly to a name shown in
the registration. |
| |
3. |
All Other Accounts: The capacity of the individual signing the proxy card should be indicated unless it is
reflected in the form of registration. For example: |
|
|
|
| Registration |
|
Valid Signature |
|
|
| Corporate Accounts |
|
|
|
|
| (1) ABC Corp |
|
ABC Corp. (by John Doe, Treasurer) |
|
|
| (2) ABC Corp |
|
John Doe, Treasurer |
|
|
| (3) ABC Corp., c/o John Doe, Treasurer |
|
John Doe |
|
|
| (4) ABC Corp. Profit Sharing Plan |
|
John Doe, Trustee |
|
|
| Trust Accounts |
|
|
|
|
| (1) ABC Trust |
|
Jane B. Doe, Trustee |
|
|
| (2) Jane B. Doe, Trustee, u/t/d 12/28/78 |
|
Jane B. Doe |
|
|
| Custodial or Estate Accounts |
|
|
|
|
| (1) John B. Smith, Cust., f/b/o John B. Smith, Jr. UGMA |
|
John B. Smith |
|
|
| (2) John B. Smith |
|
John B. Smith, Jr., Executor |
Instructions for Telephone/Internet Voting
Various brokerage firms may offer the convenience of providing you with voting instructions via telephone or the Internet for shares held through such
firms. Instructions for Internet and telephonic voting are included with the proxy card or voting instruction form.
WESTERN ASSET DIVERSIFIED INCOME
FUND
(NYSE: WDI)
620
Eighth Avenue, 47th Floor, New York, New York 10018
PROXY STATEMENT
This proxy statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation by the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of Western Asset
Diversified Income Fund (the “Fund”) of proxies to be voted at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Fund to be held at 280 Park Avenue, New York, New York, on Friday, April 12, 2024 at 10:00 a.m., New York time, and at any
adjournments or postponements thereof (the “Meeting”), for the purposes set forth in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Notice”).
If it is determined that the Meeting will be held at a different time or in a different location or format (i.e., a virtual or hybrid meeting), an
announcement of any such updates will be provided by means of a press release, which will be posted on our website (www.franklintempleton.com/investments/options/closed-end-funds). We encourage you to check the website prior to the Meeting if you
plan to attend the Meeting. An announcement of any change will also be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission via its EDGAR system. You do not need to attend the Meeting if you submit your votes on the proposals by proxy promptly.
This Proxy Statement and the accompanying materials are being made available to shareholders on or about March 6, 2024.
The Fund is organized as a Maryland statutory trust and is a registered investment company.
Franklin Templeton Fund Adviser, LLC (formerly known as Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC) (“FTFA”), whose principal business address is
280 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10017, is the Fund’s investment adviser and administrator. Pursuant to respective sub-advisory agreements with FTFA, Western Asset Management Company, LLC
(“Western Asset”), Western Asset Management Company Limited in London (“Western Asset Limited”), Western Asset Management Company Ltd. in Japan (“Western Japan”) and Western Asset Management Company Pte. Ltd. in
Singapore (“Western Singapore”), each serves as the Fund’s sub-investment advisors. Western Asset has offices at 385 East Colorado Boulevard, Pasadena, California 91101 and 620 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York 10018. Western
Asset Limited has offices at 10 Exchange Square, Primrose Street, London EC2A 2EN. Western Japan has offices at 36F Shin-Marunouchi Building, 5-1 Marunouchi 1-Chome Chiyoda-Ku, Tokyo 100-6536, Japan.
Western Singapore has offices at 1 George Street #23-01, Singapore 049145. FTFA, Western Asset, Western Asset Limited, Western Japan and Western Singapore are all indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries of Franklin Resources, Inc., a global
investment management organization operating as Franklin Templeton.
Even if you plan to attend the Meeting, please sign, date and return a proxy
card, or provide voting instructions by telephone or over the Internet. If you vote by telephone or over the Internet, you will be asked to enter a unique code that has been assigned to you and which is printed on your proxy card. This code is
designed to confirm your identity, provide access into the voting sites and confirm that your instructions are properly recorded. If you require additional information, please call toll free at 1-866-875-8614.
1
All properly executed proxies received prior to the Meeting will be voted at the Meeting in accordance with
the instructions marked thereon or otherwise as provided therein. Unless instructions to the contrary are marked, shares represented by the proxies will be voted “FOR” the election of each nominee in Proposal 1 and
“FOR” Proposal 2. Shareholders who execute proxies may revoke them at any time before they are voted by filing with the Fund a written notice of revocation, by delivering a duly executed proxy bearing a later date or by attending
the Meeting and voting in person. In accordance with the Fund’s By-Laws, a quorum is constituted by the presence in person or by proxy of the holders of record of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding shares of common stock (“Common
Shares”) entitled to vote at the Meeting. For purposes of determining the presence of a quorum for transacting business at the Meeting, abstentions and broker non-votes, if any, will be treated as shares that are present but which have not been
voted. In the event of any conflict between a description of the Fund’s By-Laws in the proxy statement and the Fund’s By-Laws, the Fund’s By-Laws will control.
The Board has fixed the close of business on February 7, 2024 as the record date (the “Record Date”) for the determination of shareholders of
the Fund entitled to notice of and to vote at the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. Shareholders of the Fund on that date will be entitled to one vote on each matter for each share held, and a fractional vote with respect to
fractional shares, with no cumulative voting rights. At the Record Date, the Fund had outstanding 51,788,210 Common Shares, par value $0.001 per share, the only authorized share class.
Annual reports are sent to shareholders of record of the Fund following the Fund’s fiscal year end. The Fund will furnish, without charge, a copy
of its annual report and most recent semi-annual report succeeding the annual report, if any, to a shareholders upon request. Such requests should be directed to the Fund at 620 Eighth Avenue, 47th Floor, New York, New York 10018 or by calling
toll free at 888-777-0102. Copies of annual and semi-annual reports of the Fund are also available on the Fund’s website at www.franklintempleton.com/investments/options/closed-end-funds or on the EDGAR Database on the Securities and Exchange
Commission’s Internet site at www.sec.gov.
Please note that only one annual or semi-annual report or Proxy Statement may be delivered to
two or more shareholders of the Fund who share an address, unless the Fund has received instructions to the contrary. To request a separate copy of an annual or semi-annual report or the Proxy Statement, or for instructions as to how to request a
separate copy of these documents or as to how to request a single copy if multiple copies of these documents are received, shareholders should contact the Fund at the address and phone number set forth above.
Vote Required and Manner of Voting Proxies
A
quorum of shareholders is required to take action at the Meeting. A majority of the votes entitled to be cast (i.e., a majority of the Fund’s outstanding shares as of the Record Date) at the Meeting, represented in person or by proxy, will
constitute a quorum of shareholders at the Meeting.
Votes cast by proxy or in person at the Meeting will be tabulated by the inspector of election
appointed for the Meeting. The inspector of election, who is an employee of the proxy solicitor engaged by the Fund, will determine whether or not a quorum is present at the Meeting. The inspector of election will treat abstentions and “broker
non-votes” (i.e., shares held by brokers or nominees, typically in “street name,” as to which proxies have been returned but (a) instructions have not been received from the beneficial owners or persons entitled to vote and
(b) the broker or nominee does not have discretionary voting power on a particular matter) as present for purposes of determining a quorum.
2
Broker-dealer firms holding shares of the Fund in “street name” for the benefit of their
customers and clients will request the instructions of such customers and clients on how to vote their shares on each Proposal before the Meeting. A signed and dated proxy card or other authorization by a beneficial owner of Fund shares that does
not specify how the beneficial owner’s shares should be voted on a proposal will be deemed an instruction to vote such shares “FOR” Proposal 1 and Proposal 2.
If you hold shares of the Fund through a service agent that has entered into a service agreement with the Fund, the service agent may be the record
holder of your shares. At the Meeting, a service agent will vote shares for which it receives instructions from its customers in accordance with those instructions. A signed and dated proxy card or other authorization by a shareholder that does not
specify how the shareholder’s shares should be voted on a proposal may be deemed to authorize a service agent to vote such shares “FOR” Proposal 1 and Proposal 2. Depending on its policies, applicable law or contractual or
other restrictions, a service agent may be permitted to vote shares with respect to which it has not received specific voting instructions from its customers. In those cases, the service agent may, but may not be required to, vote such shares in the
same proportion as those shares for which the service agent has received voting instructions. This practice is commonly referred to as “echo voting.”
If you beneficially own shares that are held in “street name” through a broker-dealer or that are held of record by a service agent and if you
do not give specific voting instructions for your shares, they may not be voted at all or, as described above, the persons named as proxies may vote your shares in a manner that you may not intend. Therefore, you are strongly encouraged to give your
broker-dealer or service agent specific instructions as to how you want your shares to be voted.
If you hold shares directly (not through a
broker-dealer, bank or other financial intermediary) and if you return a signed and dated proxy card that does not specify how you wish to vote on a proposal, your shares will be voted “FOR” Proposal 1 and
“FOR” Proposal 2.
The Fund has opted into and is subject to the provisions of the Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act
(the “MCSAA”). Generally, the MCSAA provides that a holder of “control shares” (as defined in the MCSAA) of a Maryland corporation (e.g., the Fund) acquired in a “control share acquisition” (as defined in the MCSAA)
will not be entitled to vote its control shares unless the other shareholder of the corporation reinstate those voting rights at a meeting of shareholder by a vote of two-thirds of the votes entitled to be
cast on the matter, excluding the “acquiring person” (i.e., the holder or group of holders acting in concert that acquires, or proposes to acquire, “control shares”) and any other holders of “interested shares” (as
defined in the MCSAA).
Generally, “control shares” are shares that, when aggregated with shares already owned by an acquiring person,
would entitle the acquiring person to exercise 10% or more, 331⁄3% or more, or a majority of the total voting power of shares entitled to vote in the election of
trustees. The MCSAA does not apply (a) to shares acquired in a merger, consolidation or share exchange if the corporation is a party to the transaction, (b) to shares acquired under the satisfaction of a pledge or other security interest
created in good faith and not for the purpose of circumventing the MCSAA, or (c) to acquisitions of shares approved or exempted by a provision contained in the charter or bylaws of the corporation and adopted at any time before the acquisition
of the shares. Shareholders (together with any “associated persons” (as defined in the MCSAA)) that own less than ten percent of the shares entitled to vote in the election of trustees are not affected by the restrictions on voting rights
under the MCSAA. In addition, the Fund’s By-Laws provide that the MCSAA will not apply to any acquisition or proposed acquisition of shares of the Fund by any company that, in accordance with the
3
1940 Act or SEC exemptive order or other regulatory relief or guidance, votes the shares held by it in the same proportion as the vote of all other holders of such security or all
securities.
Accordingly, any holder of the Fund’s outstanding shares that is deemed to hold “control shares” under the MCSAA will not
be entitled to vote its control shares at the Meeting.
Required Vote
| |
• |
|
Trustees are elected by a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by the holders of the Fund’s Common Shares at a
Meeting at which a quorum is present. For purposes of the election of Trustees, abstentions and broker non-votes are votes entitled to be cast, and will therefore have the same effect as votes “against” the election of that Trustee.
|
| |
• |
|
With respect to the ratification of PwC as the independent registered public accountants, the affirmative vote of a
majority of the votes cast by the shareholders of the Fund, at a Meeting at which a quorum is present, will decide the ratification of PwC as the independent registered public accountants. For purposes of the ratification of PwC as the independent
registered public accountants, abstentions and broker non-votes, if any, will be counted as represented at the meeting and will not be considered votes cast. As such, abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of the
ratification proposal. |
If the necessary quorum to transact business or the vote required to elect each of the nominees is not
obtained at the Meeting, or, if in the discretion of the chairman of the Meeting, it is advisable to defer action on the election of the nominees and/or the ratification of PwC as the independent registered public accountants, the chairman of the
Meeting may adjourn the Meeting with respect to one or more proposals, or the persons named as proxies may propose one or more adjournments of the Meeting, to permit further solicitation of proxies. The Meeting may be adjourned from time to time
without further notice other than announcement at the Meeting at which the adjournment is taken. If the Meeting is adjourned for more than 120 days after the original record date for the Meeting, the Board will fix a new record date for such
Meeting. Any proxy received by the Fund from a shareholder who was a shareholder of record on both the record date originally set for the Meeting and the new record date for such Meeting will remain in full force and effect unless explicitly revoked
by the applicable shareholder. Alternatively, the Fund could postpone the Meeting with respect to one or more proposals. The persons named as proxies will vote in their discretion on any other business as may properly come before the Meeting or any
adjournments or postponements thereof. Any proposal submitted to a vote at the Meeting may be voted on either in person or by authorized proxy.
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Meeting to be Held on April 12, 2024
The proxy statement and related materials are available at https://www.proxy-direct.com/fnk-33761
Proposal No. 1: Election of Trustees
In
accordance with the Fund’s Declaration of Trust, the Board is currently classified into three classes: Class I, Class II and Class III. The Trustees serving in Class III have terms expiring at the Meeting, and they have been nominated by
the Board of Trustees for election at the Meeting to serve for a term of three years (until the 2027 Annual Meeting of Shareholders), or until their successors have been duly elected and qualified or until their death, resignation or they are
otherwise removed. The terms of office of the remaining Class I and Class II Trustees expire at the year 2025 and 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, respectively, or thereafter until their successors have been duly elected and qualified or until
they resign or are otherwise removed. The effect of these staggered terms is to limit the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control of the Fund by delaying the replacement of a majority of the Board of Trustees.
4
The persons named in the proxy intend to vote at the Meeting (unless directed not to vote) “FOR”
the election of the nominees named below. Each of the nominees is currently a member of the Fund’s Board of Trustees and has indicated that he or she will serve if elected. However, if any nominee should be unable to serve, the proxy will be
voted for any other person determined by the persons named in the proxy in their discretion.
Certain information concerning the nominees for
Trustees of the Fund and other Trustees of the Fund is set forth in the following table.
Persons Nominated for Election as Trustees
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Name, Address(1)
and
Birth Year |
|
Position(s)
Held with
Fund |
|
Term of
Office and
Length
Time
Served |
|
Principal Occupations
During Past Five Years |
|
Number of
Portfolios in
Fund
Complex**
Overseen by
Trustee |
|
|
Other Directorships
Held by Trustee |
| Nominees to serve as Class III Trustees until the 2027 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders NON-INTERESTED TRUSTEE |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Nisha Kumar Birth year: 1970 |
|
Trustee and Member of Nominating, Compensation and Pricing and Valuation Committees, and Chair of Audit Committee |
|
Since 2021 |
|
Formerly, Managing Director and the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Compliance Officer of Greenbriar Equity Group, LP (2011 to 2021); formerly, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Administrative Officer of Rent the Runway, Inc.
(2011); Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of AOL LLC, a subsidiary of Time Warner Inc. (2007 to 2009). Member of the Council on Foreign Relations |
|
|
18 |
|
|
Director of The India Fund, Inc. (since 2016); formerly, Director of Aberdeen Income Credit Strategies Fund (2017-2018); and Director of The Asia Tigers Fund, Inc. (2016 to
2018) |
| (1) |
Unless otherwise indicated, the business address of the persons listed above is c/o Chairman of the Board, Franklin
Templeton, 280 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017. |
| ** |
The term “Fund Complex” means two or more registered investment companies that: |
| |
(a) |
Hold themselves out to investors as related companies for purposes of investment and investor services; or
|
| |
(b) |
Have a common investment adviser or have an investment adviser that is an affiliated person of the investment adviser of
any of the other registered investment companies. |
5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Name, Address(1)
and
Birth Year |
|
Position(s)
Held with
Fund |
|
Term of
Office and
Length
Time
Served |
|
Principal Occupations
During Past Five Years |
|
Number of
Portfolios in
Fund
Complex**
Overseen by
Trustee |
|
|
Other Directorships
Held by Trustee |
| Nominees to serve as Class III Trustees until the 2027 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
(continued) INTERESTED TRUSTEE |
| Jane E. Trust, CFA* Born 1962 |
|
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer |
|
Since 2021 |
|
Senior Vice President, Fund Board Management, Franklin Templeton (since 2020); Officer and/or Trustee/Director of 123 funds associated with FTFA or its affiliates (since 2015); President and Chief Executive Officer of FTFA (since
2015); formerly, Senior Managing Director (2018 to 2020) and Managing Director (2016 to 2018) of Legg Mason & Co.; Senior Vice President of FTFA (2015) |
|
|
123 |
|
|
None |
| (1) |
Unless otherwise indicated, the business address of the persons listed above is c/o Chairman of the Board, Franklin
Templeton, 280 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017. |
| * |
Ms. Trust is an “interested person” as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the
“1940 Act”), because she is an officer of FTFA and certain of its affiliates. |
| ** |
The term “Fund Complex” means two or more registered investment companies that: |
| |
(a) |
Hold themselves out to investors as related companies for purposes of investment and investor services; or
|
| |
(b) |
Have a common investment adviser or have an investment adviser that is an affiliated person of the investment adviser of
any of the other registered investment companies. |
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Name, Address(1)
and
Birth Year |
|
Position(s)
Held with
Fund |
|
Term of
Office and
Length
Time
Served |
|
Principal Occupations
During Past Five Years |
|
Number of
Portfolios in
Fund
Complex**
Overseen by
Trustee |
|
|
Other Directorships
Held by Trustee |
| The following table provides information concerning the remaining Trustees of the Fund:
Class I Trustees Serving until the 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
NON-INTERESTED TRUSTEES |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Robert D. Agdern Birth year: 1950 |
|
Trustee and Member of Nominating, Audit, Compensation and Pricing and Valuation Committees, and Compliance Liaison |
|
Since 2021 |
|
Member of the Advisory Committee of the Dispute Resolution Research Center at the Kellogg Graduate School of Business, Northwestern University (2002 to 2016); formerly, Deputy General Counsel responsible for western hemisphere
matters for BP PLC (1999 to 2001); Associate General Counsel at Amoco Corporation responsible for corporate, chemical, and refining and marketing matters and special assignments (1993 to 1998) (Amoco merged with British Petroleum in 1998 forming BP
PLC). |
|
|
18 |
|
|
None |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Carol L. Colman, CFA Birth year: 1946 |
|
Trustee and Member of Nominating, Audit and Compensation Committees, and Chair of Pricing and Valuation Committee |
|
Since 2021 |
|
President, Colman Consulting Co. (consulting) |
|
|
18 |
|
|
None |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Daniel P. Cronin Birth year: 1946 |
|
Trustee and Member of Audit, Compensation and Pricing and Valuation Committees, and Chair of Nominating Committee |
|
Since 2021 |
|
Retired; formerly, Associate General Counsel, Pfizer, Inc. (prior to and including 2004) |
|
|
18 |
|
|
None |
| (1) |
Unless otherwise indicated, the business address of the persons listed above is c/o Chairman of the Board, Franklin
Templeton, 280 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017. |
| ** |
The term “Fund Complex” means two or more registered investment companies that: |
| |
(a) |
Hold themselves out to investors as related companies for purposes of investment and investor services; or
|
| |
(b) |
Have a common investment adviser or have an investment adviser that is an affiliated person of the investment adviser of
any of the other registered investment companies. |
7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Name, Address(1)
and
Birth Year |
|
Position(s)
Held with
Fund |
|
Term of
Office and
Length
Time
Served |
|
Principal Occupations
During Past Five Years |
|
Number of
Portfolios in
Fund
Complex**
Overseen
by Trustee |
|
|
Other Directorships
Held by Trustee |
| Class II Trustees serving until the 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
NON-INTERESTED TRUSTEES |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Paolo M. Cucchi Birth year: 1941 |
|
Trustee and Member of Nominating, Audit and Pricing and Valuation Committees, and Chair of Compensation Committee |
|
Since 2021 |
|
Emeritus Professor of French and Italian (since 2014) and formerly, Vice President and Dean of The College of Liberal Arts (1984 to 2009) and Professor of French and Italian (2009 to 2014) at Drew University |
|
|
18 |
|
|
None |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Eileen A. Kamerick Birth year: 1958 |
|
Lead Independent Trustee and Member of Nominating, Compensation, Pricing and Valuation and Audit Committees |
|
Since 2021 |
|
Chief Executive Officer, The Governance Partners, LLC (consulting firm) (since 2015); National Association of Corporate Directors Board Leadership Fellow (since 2016, with Directorship Certification since 2019) and NACD 2022
Directorship 100 honoree; Adjunct Professor, Georgetown University Law Center (since 2021); Adjunct Professor, University of Chicago Law School (since 2018); Adjunct Professor, University of Iowa College of Law (since 2007); formerly, Chief
Financial Officer, Press Ganey Associates (health care informatics company) (2012 to 2014); Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer, Houlihan Lokey (international investment bank) and President, Houlihan Lokey Foundation (2010 to 2012) |
|
|
18 |
|
|
Director, VALIC Company I (since October 2022); Director of ACV Auctions Inc. (since 2021); Director of Associated Banc-Corp (financial services
company) (since 2007); formerly, Director of Hochschild Mining plc (precious metals company) (2016 to 2023); formerly Trustee of AIG Funds and Anchor Series Trust (2018 to 2021) |
| (1) |
Unless otherwise indicated, the business address of the persons listed above is c/o Chairman of the Board, Franklin
Templeton, 280 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017. |
| ** |
The term “Fund Complex” means two or more registered investment companies that: |
| |
(a) |
Hold themselves out to investors as related companies for purposes of investment and investor services; or
|
| |
(b) |
Have a common investment adviser or have an investment adviser that is an affiliated person of the investment adviser of
any of the other registered investment companies. |
8
Each of the Trustees has served as a trustee of the Fund as indicated in the table above. The Trustees were
selected to join the Board based upon the following as to each Board Member: his or her character and integrity; such person’s service as a board member of other funds in the Legg Mason fund complex; such person’s willingness to serve and
willingness and ability to commit the time necessary to perform the duties of a Trustee; as to each Trustee other than Ms. Trust, his or her status as not being an “interested person” as defined in the 1940 Act; and, as to Ms. Trust, her
role with Franklin Templeton. No factor, by itself, was controlling.
In addition to the information provided in the table included above, each
Trustee possesses the following attributes: Mr. Agdern, experience in business and as a legal professional; Ms. Colman, experience as a consultant and investment professional; Mr. Cronin, legal and managerial experience; Mr. Cucchi,
experience as a college professor and leadership experience as an academic dean; Ms. Kamerick, experience in business and finance, including financial reporting, and experience as a board member of a highly regulated financial services company;
Ms. Kumar, financial and accounting experience as the chief financial officer of other companies and experience as a board member of private equity funds; and Ms. Trust, investment management and risk oversight experience as an executive and
portfolio manager and leadership roles within Franklin Templeton and affiliated entities. References to the qualifications, attributes and skills of the Trustees are pursuant to requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, do not
constitute holding out of the Board or any Trustee as having any special expertise or experience, and shall not impose any greater responsibility or liability on any such person or on the Board by reason thereof.
Security Ownership of Management
The following table
provides information concerning the dollar range of equity securities owned beneficially by each Trustee and nominee for election as Trustee as of December 31, 2023:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Name of Trustee/Nominee |
|
Dollar Range(1) of Equity
Securities in the Fund |
|
|
Aggregate Dollar Range(1) of Equity Securities
in all Funds Overseen by
Trustee/Nominee in Family of Investment Companies(2) |
|
| NON-INTERESTED TRUSTEES |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Robert D. Agdern |
|
|
A |
|
|
|
D |
|
| Carol L. Colman |
|
|
A |
|
|
|
E |
|
| Daniel P. Cronin |
|
|
A |
|
|
|
E |
|
| Paolo M. Cucchi |
|
|
A |
|
|
|
C |
|
| Eileen A. Kamerick |
|
|
A |
|
|
|
E |
|
| Nisha Kumar |
|
|
A |
|
|
|
A |
|
| INTERESTED TRUSTEE |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Jane E. Trust |
|
|
A |
|
|
|
E |
|
| (1) |
The dollar ranges are as follows: “A” = None; “B” = $1-$10,000; “C” = $10,001-$50,000;
“D” = $50,001-$100,000; “E” = Over $100,000. |
| (2) |
The term, “Family of Investment Companies”, means any two or more registered investment companies that share the
same investment adviser or principal underwriter or hold themselves out to investors as related companies for purposes of investment and investor services. |
At February 7, 2024, the nominees, Trustees and officers of the Fund as a group beneficially owned less than 1% of the Fund’s outstanding Common
Shares.
9
No Trustee or nominee for election as Trustee who is not an “interested person” of the Fund as
defined in the 1940 Act, nor any immediate family members, to the best of the Fund’s knowledge, had any interest in the Fund’s investment adviser, or any person or entity (other than a registered investment company) directly or indirectly
controlling, controlled by, or under common control with Franklin Templeton as of December 31, 2023.
Trustee Compensation
Under the federal securities laws, and in connection with the Meeting, the Fund is required to provide to shareholders in connection with the Meeting
information regarding compensation paid to the Trustees by the Fund, as well as by the various other investment companies advised by FTFA. The following table provides information concerning the compensation paid to each Trustee by the Fund during
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 and the total compensation paid to each Trustee during the calendar year ended December 31, 2023. The Trustees listed below are members of the Fund’s Audit, Nominating, Compensation and Pricing
and Valuation Committees, as well as committees of the boards of certain other investment companies advised by FTFA. Accordingly, the amounts provided in the table include compensation for service on all such committees. The Fund does not provide
any pension or retirement benefits to Trustees. In addition, no remuneration was paid during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 by the Fund to Ms. Trust who is an “interested person” as defined in the 1940 Act.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Name of Trustees |
|
Aggregate Compensation
from the Fund for
Fiscal Year Ended
12/31/23 ($) |
|
|
Total Compensation
from the Fund and
Fund Complex(1)
for
Calendar Year Ended
12/31/23 ($) |
|
| Directorships(2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Robert D. Agdern |
|
|
26,426 |
|
|
|
402,000 |
|
| Carol L. Colman |
|
|
28,220 |
|
|
|
332,000 |
|
| Daniel P. Cronin |
|
|
27,772 |
|
|
|
323,000 |
|
| Paolo M. Cucchi |
|
|
26,426 |
|
|
|
312,000 |
|
| Eileen A. Kamerick |
|
|
31,360 |
|
|
|
457,000 |
|
| Nisha Kumar |
|
|
29,566 |
|
|
|
435,000 |
|
| (1) |
“Fund Complex” means two or more Funds (a registrant or, where the registrant is a series company, a separate
portfolio of the registrant) that hold themselves out to investors as related companies for purposes of investment and investor services or have a common investment adviser or have an investment adviser that is an affiliated person of the investment
adviser of any of the other Funds. |
| (2) |
Each Trustee currently holds 18 investment company directorships within this Fund Complex. |
Responsibilities of the Board of Trustees
The Board of
Trustees is responsible under applicable state law for overseeing generally the management and operations of the Fund. The Trustees oversee the Fund’s operations by, among other things, meeting at its regularly scheduled meetings and as
otherwise needed with the Fund’s management and evaluating the performance of the Fund’s service providers including FTFA, Western Asset, Western Asset Limited, Western Japan, Western Singapore, the custodian and the transfer agent. As
part of this process, the Trustees consult with the Fund’s independent auditors and with their own separate independent counsel.
The Trustees
review the Fund’s financial statements, performance, net asset value and market price and the relationship between them, as well as the quality of the services being provided to the Fund. As part of this
10
process, the Trustees review the Fund’s fees and expenses in light of the nature, quality and scope of the services being received while also seeking to ensure that the Fund continues to
have access to high quality services in the future.
The Board of Trustees has four regularly scheduled meetings each year, and additional meetings
may be scheduled as needed. In addition, the Board has a standing Audit Committee, Nominating Committee, Compensation Committee and Pricing and Valuation Committee that meet periodically and whose responsibilities are described below.
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, the Board of Trustees held four regular meetings. Each Trustee attended at least 75% of the
aggregate number of meetings of the Board and the committees for which he or she was eligible. The Fund does not have a formal policy regarding attendance by Trustees at annual meetings of shareholders.
Each of the Audit Committee, the Nominating Committee, Compensation Committee and Pricing and Valuation Committee is composed of all Trustees who have
been determined not to be “interested persons” of the Fund, FTFA, Western Asset or their affiliates within the meaning of the 1940 Act, and who are “independent” as defined in the New York Stock Exchange listing standards
(“Independent Trustees”), and is chaired by an Independent Trustee. The Board in its discretion from time to time may establish ad hoc committees.
The Board of Trustees is currently comprised of seven trustees, six of whom are Independent Trustees. Jane E. Trust serves as Chairman of the Board. Ms.
Trust is an “interested person” of the Fund. The appointment of Ms. Trust as Chairman reflects the Board’s belief that her experience, familiarity with the Fund’s day-to-day operations and access to individuals with
responsibility for the Fund’s management and operations provides the Board with insight into the Fund’s business and activities and, with her access to appropriate administrative support, facilitates the efficient development of meeting
agendas that address the Fund’s business, legal and other needs and the orderly conduct of board meetings. Ms. Kamerick serves as Lead Independent Trustee. The Chairman develops agendas for Board meetings in consultation with the Lead
Independent Trustee and presides at all meetings of the Board. The Lead Independent Trustee, among other things, chairs executive sessions of the Independent Trustees, serves as a spokesperson for the Independent Trustees and serves as a liaison
between the Independent Trustees and the Fund’s management between Board meetings. The Independent Trustees regularly meet outside the presence of management and are advised by independent legal counsel. The Board also has determined that its
leadership structure, as described above, is appropriate in light of the size and complexity of the Fund, the number of Independent Trustees (who constitute a super-majority of the Board’s membership) and the Board’s general oversight
responsibility. The Board also believes that its leadership structure not only facilitates the orderly and efficient flow of information to the Independent Trustees from management, including Western Asset, Western Asset Limited, Western Japan and
Western Singapore, the Fund’s subadvisers, but also enhances the independent and orderly exercise of its responsibilities.
Audit Committee
The Fund’s Audit Committee is composed entirely of all of the Independent Trustees: Mses. Colman, Kamerick and Kumar, and Messrs. Agdern,
Cronin and Cucchi. Ms. Kumar serves as the Chair of the Audit Committee and has been determined by the Board to be an “audit committee financial expert.” The principal functions of the Audit Committee are: to (a) oversee the
scope of the Fund’s audit, the Fund’s
11
accounting and financial reporting policies and practices and its internal controls and enhance the quality and objectivity of the audit function; (b) approve, and recommend to the
Independent Board Members (as such term is defined in the Audit Committee Charter) for their ratification, the selection, appointment, retention or termination of the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm, as well as approving
the compensation thereof; and (c)approve all audit and permissible non-audit services provided to the Fund and certain other persons by the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm. This Committee met five times during the fiscal
year ended December 31, 2023. The Audit Committee operates under a written charter adopted and approved by the Board, a copy of which is available on the Fund’s website at www.franklintempleton.com/investments/options/closed-end-funds
and click on the name of the Fund.
Nominating Committee
The Fund’s Nominating Committee, the principal function of which is to select and nominate candidates for election as Trustees of the Fund, is
composed of all of the Independent Trustees: Mses. Colman, Kamerick and Kumar, and Messrs. Agdern, Cronin and Cucchi. Mr. Cronin serves as the Chair of the Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee may consider nominees recommended by
the shareholders as it deems appropriate. Shareholders who wish to recommend a nominee should send recommendations to the Fund’s Secretary that include all information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of
proxies for the election of Trustees. A recommendation must be accompanied by a written consent of the individual to stand for election if nominated by the Board of Trustees and to serve if elected by the shareholders. The Nominating Committee met
four times during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023. The Nominating Committee operates under a written charter adopted and approved by the Board, a copy of which is available on the Fund’s website at
www.franklintempleton.com/investments/options/closed-end-funds and click on the name of the Fund.
The Nominating Committee identifies
potential nominees through its network of contacts, and in its discretion may also engage a professional search firm. The Nominating Committee meets to discuss and consider such candidates’ qualifications and then chooses a candidate by
majority vote. The Nominating Committee has not established specific qualities or skills that it regards as necessary for one or more of the Fund’s Trustees to possess (other than any qualities or skills that may be required by applicable law,
regulation or listing standard). However, as set forth in the Nominating Committee Charter, in evaluating a person as a potential nominee to serve as a Trustee of the Fund, the Nominating Committee may consider the following factors, among any
others it may deem relevant:
| |
• |
|
whether or not the person is an “interested person” as defined in the 1940 Act and whether the person is
otherwise qualified under applicable laws and regulations to serve as a Trustee of the Fund; |
| |
• |
|
whether or not the person has any relationships that might impair his or her independence, such as any business, financial
or family relationships with Fund management, the investment manager of the Fund, Fund service providers or their affiliates; |
| |
• |
|
whether or not the person serves on boards of, or is otherwise affiliated with, competing financial service organizations
or their related mutual fund complexes; |
| |
• |
|
whether or not the person is willing to serve, and willing and able to commit the time necessary for the performance of the
duties of a Trustee of the Fund; |
| |
• |
|
the contribution which the person can make to the Board and the Fund (or, if the person has previously served as a Trustee
of the Fund, the contribution which the person made to the Board during his or her |
12
| |
previous term of service), with consideration being given to the person’s business and professional experience, education and such other factors as the Committee may consider relevant;
|
| |
• |
|
the character and integrity of the person; and |
| |
• |
|
whether or not the selection and nomination of the person would be consistent with the requirements of the Fund’s
retirement policies. |
Further, the Fund has adopted Trustee qualification requirements which can be found in the Fund’s By-Laws and are applicable to all Trustees that may be nominated or elected to serve as Trustees, unless a majority of the Board of Trustees then in office determine by resolution that failure to satisfy a
particular qualification requirement will not present undue conflicts or impede the ability of the individual to discharge the duties of a Trustee or the free flow of information among Trustees or between FTFA and the Board of Trustees. The
qualification requirements include: (i) experience requirements; (ii) limits on service on other boards; and (iii) character and fitness requirements. The Nominating Committee, in its sole discretion, determines whether an individual satisfies these
qualifications. The Nominating Committee does not have a formal diversity policy with regard to the consideration of diversity in identifying potential trustee nominees but may consider diversity of professional experience, education and skills when
evaluating potential nominees for Board membership.
Pricing and Valuation Committee
The Fund’s Pricing and Valuation Committee is composed of all of the Independent Trustees. The members of the Pricing and Valuation Committee are
Mses. Colman, Kamerick and Kumar, and Messrs. Agdern, Cronin and Cucchi. Ms. Colman serves as Chair of the Fund’s Pricing and Valuation Committee. The principal function of the Pricing and Valuation Committee is to assist the Board with its
oversight of the process for valuing portfolio securities in light of applicable law, regulatory guidance and applicable policies and procedures adopted by the Fund. The Pricing and Valuation Committee met four times during the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2023.
Compensation Committee
The
Fund’s Compensation Committee is composed of all of the Independent Trustees. The members of the Compensation Committee are Mses. Colman, Kamerick and Kumar, and Messrs. Agdern, Cronin and Cucchi. Mr. Cucchi serves as Chair of the
Fund’s Compensation Committee. The principal function of the Compensation Committee is to recommend the appropriate compensation of the Independent Trustees for their service on the Board and the committees of the Board. The Compensation
Committee met once during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023. The Compensation Committee operates under a written charter adopted and approved by the Board, a copy of which is available on the Fund’s website at
www.franklintempleton.com/investments/options/closed-end-funds and click on the name of the Fund.
Risk Oversight
The Board’s role in risk oversight of the Fund reflects its responsibility under applicable state law to oversee generally, rather than to manage,
the operations of the Fund. In line with this oversight responsibility, the Board receives reports and makes inquiry at its regular meetings and as needed regarding the nature and extent of significant Fund risks (including investment, compliance
and valuation risks) that potentially could have a materially adverse impact on the business operations, investment performance or reputation of the Fund, but relies upon the Fund’s management (including the Fund’s portfolio managers) and
Chief Compliance
13
Officer, who reports directly to the Board, and FTFA to assist it in identifying and understanding the nature and extent of such risks and determining whether, and to what extent, such risks may
be eliminated or mitigated. In addition to reports and other information received from Fund management and FTFA regarding the Fund’s investment program and activities, the Board as part of its risk oversight efforts meets at its regular
meetings and as needed with the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer to discuss, among other things, risk issues and issues regarding the policies, procedures and controls of the Fund. The Board may be assisted in performing aspects of its role in
risk oversight by the Audit Committee and such other standing or special committees as may be established from time to time by the Board. For example, the Audit Committee of the Board regularly meets with the Fund’s independent public
accounting firm to review, among other things, reports on the Fund’s internal controls for financial reporting.
The Board believes that not all
risks that may affect the Fund can be identified, that it may not be practical or cost-effective to eliminate or mitigate certain risks, that it may be necessary to bear certain risks (such as investment-related risks) to achieve the Fund’s
goals, and that the processes, procedures and controls employed to address certain risks may be limited in their effectiveness. Moreover, reports received by the Trustees as to risk management matters are typically summaries of relevant information
and may be inaccurate or incomplete. As a result of the foregoing and other factors, the Board’s risk management oversight is subject to substantial limitations.
Officers
The Fund’s executive officers are chosen each
year at a regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Fund, to hold office until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified. Officers of the Fund receive no compensation from the Fund although they may be reimbursed by the Fund
for reasonable out-of-pocket travel expenses for attending Board meetings. In addition to Ms. Trust, the Fund’s Chairman, CEO and President, the executive officers of the Fund currently are:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Name, Address and Age |
|
Position(s) Held
with Fund |
|
Length of
Time Served |
|
Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 years |
|
|
|
|
| Christopher Berarducci
Franklin Templeton
280 Park Avenue
8th Floor
New York, NY 10017
Birth year: 1974 |
|
Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer |
|
Since 2021 |
|
Vice President, Fund Administration and Reporting, Franklin Templeton (since 2020); Treasurer (since 2010) and Principal Financial Officer (since 2019) of certain funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates;
formerly, Managing Director (2020), Director (2015 to 2020), and Vice President (2011 to 2015) of Legg Mason & Co. |
|
|
|
|
| Fred Jensen
Franklin Templeton
280 Park Avenue
8th Floor
New York, NY 10017
Birth Year: 1963 |
|
Chief Compliance Officer |
|
Since 2021 |
|
Director-Global Compliance of Franklin Templeton (since 2020); Managing Director of Legg Mason & Co. (2006 to 2020); Director of Compliance, Legg Mason Office of the Chief Compliance Officer (2006 to 2020);
formerly, Chief Compliance Officer of Legg Mason Global Asset Allocation (prior to 2014); Chief Compliance Officer of Legg Mason Private Portfolio Group (prior to 2013); formerly, Chief Compliance Officer of The Reserve Funds (investment adviser,
funds and broker-dealer) (2004) and Ambac Financial Group (investment adviser, funds and broker-dealer) (2000 to 2003). |
14
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Name, Address and Age |
|
Position(s) Held
with Fund |
|
Length of
Time Served |
|
Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 years |
|
|
|
|
| Marc A. De Oliveira
Franklin Templeton
100 First Stamford Place
Stamford, CT 06902
Birth year: 1971 |
|
Secretary and Chief Legal Officer |
|
Since 2023 |
|
Associate General Counsel of Franklin Templeton (since 2020); Secretary and Chief Legal Officer of certain funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates (since 2020); Assistant Secretary of certain funds
associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates (since 2006); formerly, Managing Director (2016 to 2020) and Associate General Counsel of Legg Mason & Co. (2005 to 2020). |
|
|
|
|
| Thomas C. Mandia
Franklin Templeton
100 First Stamford Place
6th Floor
Stamford, CT 06902
Birth year: 1962 |
|
Senior Vice President |
|
Since 2022 |
|
Senior Associate General Counsel of Franklin Templeton (since 2020); Secretary of FTFA (since 2006); Assistant Secretary of certain funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates (since 2006); Secretary of LM
Asset Services, LLC (“LMAS”) (since 2002) and Legg Mason Fund Asset Management, Inc. (“LMFAM”) (since 2013) (formerly registered investment advisers); formerly, Managing Director and Deputy General Counsel of
Legg Mason & Co. (2005 to 2020) and Assistant Secretary of certain funds in the fund complex (2006 to 2022) |
|
|
|
|
| Jeanne M. Kelly
Franklin Templeton
280 Park Avenue
8th Floor
New York, NY 10017
Birth year: 1951 |
|
Senior Vice President |
|
Since 2021 |
|
U.S. Fund Board Team Manager, Franklin Templeton (since 2020); Senior Vice President of certain funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates (since 2007); Senior Vice President of FTFA (since 2006); President
and Chief Executive Officer of LMAS and LMFAM (since 2015); formerly, Managing Director of Legg Mason & Co. (2005 to 2020); Senior Vice President of LMFAM (2013 to 2015) |
15
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and Section 30(h) of the 1940 Act in combination require the Fund’s
Trustees and officers and persons who own more than 10% of the Fund’s Common Shares, as well as FTFA and certain of its affiliated persons, to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(“SEC”) and the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. (“NYSE”). Such persons and entities are required by SEC regulations to furnish the Fund with copies of all such filings. Based solely on its review of the copies of such forms
received by it, or written representations from certain reporting persons, the Fund believes that, during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, all such filing requirements were met with respect to the Fund, with the exception of initial
statement of beneficial interest on Form 3 for Michael Buchanan, which was filed late due to an administrative oversight.
Proposal No. 2:
Selection of the Independent Public Accountants
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”), independent registered public accountants, has
been selected by the Audit Committee and the Board to examine the Fund’s financial statements for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024. A representative of PwC, if requested by any shareholder, will be present via telephone at the Meeting
to respond to appropriate questions from shareholders and will have an opportunity to make a statement if he or she chooses to do so.
Report of
the Audit Committee
Pursuant to a meeting of the Audit Committee on February 21, 2024, the Audit Committee reports that it has:
(i) reviewed and discussed the Fund’s audited financial statements with management; (ii) discussed with PwC, the independent registered public accounting firm of the Fund, the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing
Standards (“SAS”) No. 114, which supersedes SAS No. 61, as amended, as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board; and (iii) previously received written confirmation from PwC that it is independent and written
disclosures regarding such independence as required by the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, and discussed with PwC the independent registered public accounting firm’s independence.
Pursuant to the Audit Committee Charter adopted by the Fund’s Board, the Audit Committee is responsible for conferring with the Fund’s
independent registered public accounting firm, reviewing annual financial statements and recommending the selection of the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee advises the full Board with respect to
accounting, auditing and financial matters affecting the Fund. The independent registered public accounting firm is responsible for planning and carrying out the proper audits and reviews of the Fund’s financial statements and expressing an
opinion as to their conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
The members of the Audit Committee are
not professionally engaged in the practice of auditing or accounting and are responsible for oversight. Moreover, the Audit Committee relies on and makes no independent verification of the facts presented to it or representations made by management
or the independent registered public accounting firm. Accordingly, the Audit Committee’s oversight does not provide an independent basis to determine that management has maintained appropriate accounting and financial reporting principals and
policies, or internal controls and procedures, designed to assure compliance with accounting standards and applicable laws and regulations. Furthermore, the Audit Committee’s considerations and discussions referred to above do not provide
assurance that the audit of the Fund’s financial statements has
16
been carried out in accordance with generally accepted accounting standards or that the financial statements are presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
Based on the review and discussions referred to in items (i) through (iii) above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Trustees (and
the Board has approved) that the audited financial statements be included in the Fund’s annual report for the Fund’s fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.
Submitted by the Audit Committee
of the
Fund’s Board of Trustees
Robert D. Agdern
Carol L. Colman, CFA
Daniel P. Cronin
Paolo M. Cucchi
Eileen A. Kamerick
Nisha Kumar
February 21, 2024
17
Disclosure of Fees Paid to Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Audit Fees. The aggregate fees billed for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 for professional
services rendered by PwC for the audit of the Fund’s annual financial statements, or services that are normally provided in connection with the statutory and regulatory filings or engagements in that period was $74,000 and $74,000,
respectively.
Audit-Related Fees. The aggregate fees billed by PwC in connection with assurance and related services related to the annual
audit of the Fund and for review of the Fund’s financial statements, other than the Audit Fees described above, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 was $0 and $0, respectively.
In addition, there were no Audit Related Fees for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 for assurance
and related services by PwC to FTFA and any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with FTFA that provides ongoing services to the Fund (FTFA and such other entities together, the “Service Affiliates”), that were related
to the operations and financial reporting of the Fund.
Tax Fees. The aggregate fees billed by PwC for tax compliance, tax advice and tax
planning services, which include the filing and amendment of federal, state and local income tax returns, timely regulated investment company qualification review and tax distribution and analysis planning to the Fund for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2022 and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 was $10,000 and $10,000, respectively. These services consisted of (i) review or preparation of U.S. federal, state, local and excise tax returns; (ii) U.S. federal,
state and local tax planning, advice and assistance regarding statutory, regulatory or administrative developments, and (iii) tax advice regarding tax qualification matters and/or treatment of various financial instruments held or proposed to
be acquired or held.
There were no fees billed by PwC to the Service Affiliates for tax services for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 and for
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 that were required to be approved by the Fund’s Audit Committee.
All Other Fees. The aggregate
fees billed for other non-audit services rendered by PwC to the Fund and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 was $0 and $0, respectively.
There were no other non-audit services rendered by PwC to the Service Affiliates for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 and for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2023.
Generally, the Audit Committee must approve (a) all audit and permissible non-audit services to be provided to the Fund and
(b) all permissible non-audit services to be provided to the Service Affiliates that relate directly to the operations and financial reporting of the Fund. The Audit Committee may implement policies and procedures by which such services are
approved other than by the full Committee but has not yet done so.
The Audit Committee approved 100% of the Audit Related Fees, Tax Fees and Other
Fees, if any, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.
The Audit Committee shall not
approve non-audit services that the Committee believes may impair the independence of the registered public accounting firm. As of the date of the approval of the Audit Committee
18
Charter, permissible non-audit services include any professional services (including tax services), that are not prohibited services as described below, provided to the Fund by the independent
registered public accounting firm, other than those provided to the Fund in connection with an audit or a review of the financial statements of the Fund. Permissible non-audit services may not include: (i) bookkeeping or other services related
to the accounting records or financial statements of the Fund; (ii) financial information systems design and implementation; (iii) appraisal or valuation services, fairness opinions or contribution-in-kind reports; (iv) actuarial services;
(v) internal audit outsourcing services; (vi) management functions or human resources; (vii) broker or dealer, investment adviser or investment banking services; (viii) legal services and expert services unrelated to the audit; and
(ix) any other service the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board determines, by regulation, is impermissible.
Pre-approval by the Audit
Committee of any permissible non-audit services is not required so long as: (i)the aggregate amount of all such permissible non-audit services provided to the Fund, FTFA and any Covered Service Provider constitutes not more than 5% of the total
amount of revenues paid to the independent registered public accounting firm during the fiscal year in which the permissible non-audit services are provided to (a) the Fund, (b) FTFA and (c) any entity controlling, controlled by or
under common control with FTFA that provides ongoing services to the Fund during the fiscal year in which the services are provided that would not have to be approved by the Committee; (ii) the permissible non-audit services were not recognized
by the Fund at the time of the engagement to be non-audit services; and (iii) such services are promptly brought to the attention of the Audit Committee and approved by the Audit Committee (or its delegate(s)) prior to the completion of the
audit.
The aggregate non-audit fees billed by PwC for non-audit services rendered to the Fund and Service Affiliates for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2022 and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 was $350,359 and $342,635, respectively.
The Audit Committee has considered
whether the provision of non-audit services to the Service Affiliates that were not pre-approved by the Audit Committee (because they did not require pre-approval) is compatible with maintaining PwC’s independence. All services provided by PwC
to the Fund or to the Service Affiliates that were required to be pre-approved by the Audit Committee were pre-approved.
Board Recommendation and
Required Vote
With respect to the proposal to elect the nominees, Nisha Kumar and Jane E. Trust are elected by a majority of the votes entitled
to be cast by the holders of the Fund’s Common Shares at which a quorum is present. For purposes of the election of Trustees, abstentions and broker non-votes are votes entitled to be cast, and will therefore have the same effect as votes
“against” the election of that Trustee.
With respect to the proposal to the ratification of PwC as the independent registered public
accountants, the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by the shareholders of the Fund, at a meeting at which a quorum is present, will decide the ratification of PwC as the independent registered public accountants. For purposes of the
ratification of PwC as the independent registered public accountants, abstentions and broker non-votes, if any, will be counted as represented at the meeting but will not be considered votes cast. As such, abstentions and broker non-votes will have
no effect on the outcome of the ratification proposal.
The Board, including the Independent Trustees, unanimously recommends that shareholders of
the Fund vote “FOR” each of the nominees and “FOR” the ratification of the selection of PwC as the independent registered public accountants.
19
5% Beneficial Ownership
At February 7, 2024, to the knowledge of management, the registered shareholders who owned of record or owned beneficially more than 5% of the
Fund’s capital stock outstanding is noted in the table below. As of the close of business on February 7, 2024, Cede & Co., a nominee for participants in the Depository Trust Company, held of record 51,783,201 shares, equal to
approximately 99% of the Fund’s outstanding shares.
Submission of Shareholder Proposals and Other Shareholder Communications
All proposals by shareholders of the Fund that are intended to be presented at the 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders must be received by the Fund for
inclusion in the Fund’s proxy statement and proxy relating to that meeting no later than November 6, 2024. Any shareholder who desires to bring a proposal at the 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders without including such proposal in the
Fund’s proxy statement must deliver written notice thereof to the Secretary of the Fund (addressed to c/o Franklin Templeton, 100 First Stamford Place, 6th Floor, Stamford, CT 06902) during the period from October 7, 2024 to November 6, 2024.
However, if the Fund’s 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders is held earlier than March 13, 2025 or later than May 12, 2025, such written notice must be delivered to the Secretary of the Fund no earlier than the 150th day prior to the date of the
2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and no later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the later of the 120th day prior to the date of the 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders or 10 days following the public announcement of the date of the 2025 Annual
Meeting of Shareholders. Shareholder proposals are subject to certain regulations under the federal securities laws.
The Fund’s Audit Committee
has established guidelines and procedures regarding the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters (collectively, “Accounting Matters”). Persons with complaints or
concerns regarding Accounting Matters may submit their complaints to the Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”). Persons who are uncomfortable submitting complaints to the CCO, including complaints involving the CCO, may submit complaints
directly to the Fund’s Audit Committee Chair (together with the CCO, “Complaint Officers”). Complaints may be submitted on an anonymous basis.
The CCO may be contacted at:
Franklin Templeton
Compliance Department
280 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10017
Complaints may also be
submitted by telephone at 1-800-742-5274. Complaints submitted through this number will be received by the CCO.
The Fund’s Audit Committee
Chair may be contacted at:
Western Asset Diversified Income Fund
Audit Committee Chair
c/o Franklin Templeton
Compliance Department
280 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10017
20
A stockholder who wishes to send any other communications to the Board should also deliver such
communications to the Secretary of the Fund at 100 First Stamford Place, 6th Floor, Stamford, CT 06902. The Secretary is responsible for determining, in consultation with other officers of the Fund, counsel, and other advisers as appropriate, which
stockholder communications will be relayed to the Board.
Expenses of Proxy Solicitation
The costs of preparing, assembling and mailing material in connection with this solicitation of proxies will be borne by the Fund and are expected to be
approximately $54,022. Proxies may also be solicited in-person by officers of the Fund and by regular employees of FTFA or its affiliates, or other representatives of the Fund or by telephone, in addition to the use of mails. Brokerage houses, banks
and other fiduciaries may be requested to forward proxy solicitation material to their principals to obtain authorization for the execution of proxies, and will be reimbursed by the Fund for such out-of-pocket expenses.
Other Business
The Fund’s Board of
Trustees does not know of any other matter that may come before the Meeting. If any other matter properly comes before the Meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the proxy to vote the proxies in accordance with their judgment on that
matter.
By Order of the Board of Trustees,
Marc A. De Oliveira
Secretary
March 6, 2024
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT PROXIES BE RETURNED PROMPTLY. SHAREHOLDERS WHO DO NOT EXPECT TO ATTEND THE MEETING ARE THEREFORE URGED TO COMPLETE AND SIGN, DATE
AND RETURN THE PROXY CARD AS SOON AS POSSIBLE IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE.
21
WDI-PXS-0424
WESTERN ASSET DIVERSIFIED INCOME FUND PO Box 43131 Providence, RI 02940-3131 EVERY VOTE IS IMPORTANT EASY VOTING OPTIONS: VOTE ON THE
INTERNET Log on to: www.proxy-direct.com or scan the QR code Follow the on-screen instructions available 24 hours VOTE BY PHONE Call 1-800-337-3503 Follow the recorded instructions available 24 hours VOTE BY MAIL Vote, sign and date this Proxy Card
and return in the postage-paid envelope VOTE IN PERSON Attend Stockholder Meeting Franklin Templeton 280 Park Avenue, 7th Floor New York, New York on April 12, 2024 Please detach at perforation before mailing. PROXY WESTERN ASSET DIVERSIFIED INCOME
FUND PROXY FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON APRIL 12, 2024 THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES. The undersigned hereby appoints Jane E. Trust, Thomas C. Mandia, Jeanne M. Kelly, Tara Gormel, and Marc De
Oliveira and each of them proxies with several powers of substitution to attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Western Asset Diversified Income Fund (the “Fund”) scheduled to be held at Franklin Templeton, 280 Park Avenue, 7th
Floor, New York, New York on April 12, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern time), or at any adjournment or postponement thereof, to cast on behalf of the undersigned all votes that the undersigned is entitled to cast at such meeting and otherwise to
represent the undersigned at the meeting with all powers possessed by the undersigned if personally present at the meeting. The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of the Notice of the Annual Meeting of Stockholders and of the accompanying Proxy
Statement (the terms of each of which are incorporated by reference herein) and revokes any proxy heretofore given with respect to such meeting. This proxy, if properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed by the stockholder. If no
direction is made, this proxy will be voted “FOR” the proposals and in the discretion of the proxies upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting. VOTE VIA THE INTERNET: www.proxy-direct.com VOTE VIA THE TELEPHONE:
1-800-337-3503 CHANGE OF ADDRESS WAD_33761_030124 PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE ON THE REVERSE SIDE AND RETURN THIS PROXY PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. xxxxxxxxxxxxxx code
EVERY STOCKHOLDER’S VOTE IS IMPORTANT Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders to Be Held on April 12, 2024. The Proxy Statement and Proxy Card are available at: https://www.proxy-direct.com/fnk-33761 Please detach at perforation before mailing. If no specific instructions are provided, this proxy will be
voted “FOR” the proposals and in the discretion of the proxies upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting. TO VOTE MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS SHOWN IN THIS EXAMPLE: X Proposals The Board of Trustees
unanimously recommends a vote “FOR” for the following proposals. 1. Election of two Class III Trustees to serve until the 2027 Annual Meeting of Stockholders: FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN 01. Nisha Kumar☐ ☐ ☐ 02. Jane E.
Trust, CFA ☐ ☐ ☐ 2. To ratify the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Fund’s independent registered public accountants for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024. Any other business that may properly come
before the Meeting. Authorized Signatures — This section must be completed for your vote to be counted.— Sign and Date Below Note: Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) on this Proxy Card, and date it. When shares are held jointly,
each holder should sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee, guardian, officer of corporation or other entity or in another representative capacity, please give the full title under the signature. Date (mm/dd/yyyy) —
Please print date below Signature 1 — Please keep signature within the box Signature 2 — Please keep signature within the box Scanner bar code xxxxxxxxxxxxxx WAD 33761 xxxxxxxx
Western Asset Diversifie... (NYSE:WDI)
Gráfico Histórico do Ativo
De Nov 2024 até Dez 2024
Western Asset Diversifie... (NYSE:WDI)
Gráfico Histórico do Ativo
De Dez 2023 até Dez 2024
