Explanatory Note
The common shares (the “Common Shares”) of Thomson Reuters Corporation (“Thomson Reuters”) that are the subject matter of this Schedule 13D are beneficially owned by The Woodbridge Company Limited (“Woodbridge”).
As of January 31, 2022, Woodbridge is the beneficial owner of 326,226,121 Common Shares, representing approximately 67.1% of the outstanding Common Shares.
Woodbridge, a private company, is the primary investment vehicle for members of the family of the late Roy H. Thomson, the first Lord Thomson of Fleet. Prior to his death in 2006, Kenneth R. Thomson controlled Thomson Reuters through Woodbridge. He did so by holding shares of a holding company of Woodbridge, Thomson Investments Limited. Under his estate arrangements, the 2003 TIL Settlement, a trust of which The Bank of Nova Scotia Trust Company (the “Trust Company”) is trustee and members of the family of the late first Lord Thomson of Fleet are beneficiaries, holds those holding company shares. Kenneth R. Thomson established these arrangements to provide for long-term stability of the business of Woodbridge. The equity of Woodbridge continues to be owned by members of successive generations of the family of the first Lord Thomson of Fleet. Under the Kenneth R. Thomson estate arrangements, the directors and officers of Woodbridge are responsible for its business and operations. In certain limited circumstances, including very substantial dispositions of Common Shares by Woodbridge, the estate arrangements provide for approval of the Trust Company, as trustee, to be obtained.
This Schedule 13D is being filed because an amended and restated Schedule 13G is being filed today in respect of Thomson Reuters by The Bank of Nova Scotia (the “Bank”) and the Bank’s subsidiary, the Trust Company. There has been no material change in the Thomson family’s beneficial ownership of Common Shares. This Schedule 13D amends and restates the Schedule 13D filed by Woodbridge on February 11, 2021. The Common Shares that are the subject matter of this Schedule 13D are the same Common Shares that are the subject matter of the Schedule 13G filed today by the Bank and the Trust Company.
Item 1. | Security and Issuer |
This Schedule 13D relates to Common Shares. The principal executive office of Thomson Reuters is located at 333 Bay Street, Suite 400, Toronto, ON, M5H 2R2.
Item 2. | Identity and Background |
This Schedule 13D is being filed by Woodbridge, 65 Queen Street West, Suite 2400 Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5H 2M8.
For further explanation of the background of the arrangements relating to Woodbridge’s ownership of Common Shares, see the “Explanatory Note” above.
The following table sets forth certain information as to the executive officers and directors of Woodbridge:
| | | | | | |
Name | | Residence or Business Address | | Present Principal Occupation or Employment | | Citizenship |
David K.R. Thomson | | 65 Queen Street West, | | Director and Chairman of | | Canadian |
| | Suite 2400, Toronto, ON | | The Woodbridge | | |
| | M5H 2M8 | | Company Limited | | |
| | | |
Peter J. Thomson | | 65 Queen Street West, | | Director and Chairman of | | Canadian |
| | Suite 2400, Toronto, ON | | The Woodbridge | | |
| | M5H 2M8 | | Company Limited | | |
| | | |
David W. Binet | | 65 Queen Street West, Suite 2400, Toronto, ON M5H 2M8 | | Director and President and Chief Executive Officer of | | Canadian |
| | | | The Woodbridge | | |
| | | | Company Limited | | |
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