New finance leaders named for Franklin Gold ETF sponsor (FGDL)
Filing Impact
Filing Sentiment
Form Type
8-K
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
Franklin Responsibly Sourced Gold ETF, a series of Franklin Templeton Holdings Trust, reported leadership changes at its sponsor, Franklin Holdings, LLC. On May 8, 2026, Christopher Berarducci was appointed Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer and Christopher Kings was appointed Chief Financial Officer of the sponsor.
On the same date, Vivek Pai resigned as Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer and Matthew Hinkle resigned as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the sponsor. The report states that their decisions to resign were not due to any dispute or disagreement regarding the fund’s operations, policies, or practices.
Positive
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Negative
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8-K Event Classification
Item 5.02 — Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers
1 item
Item 5.02
Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers
Governance
Key personnel changes including departures, elections, or appointments of directors and executive officers.
Key Figures
Appointment date: May 8, 2026
Age of Christopher Berarducci: 51 years
Age of Christopher Kings: 51 years
+5 more
8 metrics
Appointment date
May 8, 2026
Effective date of new CAO/Treasurer and CFO appointments
Age of Christopher Berarducci
51 years
New Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer of the sponsor
Age of Christopher Kings
51 years
New Chief Financial Officer of the sponsor
Franklin Templeton role since
2020
Berarducci as Vice President, Fund Administration and Reporting
Treasurer role start
2010
Berarducci as Treasurer for certain Legg Mason-related funds
Principal Financial Officer role start
2019
Berarducci as Principal Financial Officer for certain funds
Managing Director year
2020
Berarducci as Managing Director at Legg Mason & Co.
Senior Vice President role start
2024
Kings as Senior Vice President of Franklin Templeton Services, LLC
Key Terms
Chief Accounting Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Emerging growth company, Securities Exchange Act of 1934, +1 more
5 terms
Chief Accounting Officer financial
"Christoper Berarducci was appointed as the Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer of Franklin Holdings, LLC"
A chief accounting officer is a senior executive responsible for overseeing a company's financial records and ensuring all accounting practices are accurate and compliant with regulations. They play a key role in preparing financial reports that help investors understand the company's financial health, much like a trusted navigator guiding a ship through complex waters. Their work ensures transparency and trust in the company's financial information.
Chief Financial Officer financial
"Christopher Kings was appointed as Chief Financial Officer of the Sponsor"
A Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is the person in charge of a company's money and financial planning. They decide how to spend, save, and invest funds to help the company grow and stay stable. Their role is important because good financial decisions keep the company healthy and successful.
Emerging growth company regulatory
"405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter). Emerging growth company"
An emerging growth company is a recently public or smaller public firm that qualifies for temporary, lighter regulatory and disclosure rules to reduce the cost and effort of being public. For investors, it means the company may provide less historical financial detail and face fewer reporting requirements than larger firms, so it can grow more quickly but also carries higher uncertainty—like buying a promising early-stage product with fewer user reviews.
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 regulatory
"Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934"
sponsor financial
"Franklin Holdings, LLC (the “Sponsor”), the sponsor of Franklin Responsibly Sourced Gold ETF"
FAQ
What leadership changes were announced for Franklin Responsibly Sourced Gold ETF (FGDL)?
The sponsor of FGDL appointed Christopher Berarducci as Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer and Christopher Kings as Chief Financial Officer. At the same time, Vivek Pai and Matthew Hinkle resigned from these respective roles at Franklin Holdings, LLC, the ETF’s sponsor.
When did the new finance officers for FGDL’s sponsor assume their roles?
Both new officers assumed their roles on May 8, 2026. On that date, Berarducci became Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer and Kings became Chief Financial Officer of Franklin Holdings, LLC, which sponsors the Franklin Responsibly Sourced Gold ETF.
Did the resignations at FGDL’s sponsor involve any disputes or disagreements?
The filing states that the resignations of Vivek Pai and Matthew Hinkle were not due to any dispute or disagreement. Specifically, it notes no issues with the sponsor or the fund on matters related to operations, policies, or practices for the Franklin Responsibly Sourced Gold ETF.
Who is Christopher Berarducci and what is his background relevant to FGDL?
Christopher Berarducci, age 51, is now Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer of the sponsor. He has held senior roles in fund administration and reporting at Franklin Templeton since 2020 and previously served as Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer for certain Legg Mason-related funds.
What prior experience does new CFO Christopher Kings bring to FGDL’s sponsor?
Christopher Kings, age 51, is Chief Financial Officer of the sponsor and Senior Vice President of Franklin Templeton Services, LLC since 2024. He previously worked in global fund administration and reporting in EMEA and has served as an officer of funds in the Franklin Templeton fund complex.