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.

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.

Franklin Gold ETF updates sponsor finance team

Franklin Responsibly Sourced Gold ETF, a series of Franklin Templeton Holdings Trust, reported leadership changes at its sponsor, Franklin Holdings, LLC.

Filing Impact

(Moderate)

Filing Sentiment

(Neutral)How Sentiment works

Sentiment and the balance of points

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How Sentiment works How the balance works

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.

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"

FAQ

AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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.

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.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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Accepted by SEC EDGAR 05/08/2026 - 04:10 PM EDT

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): May 8, 2026

FRANKLIN RESPONSIBLY SOURCED GOLD ETF

A SERIES OF FRANKLIN TEMPLETON HOLDINGS TRUST

SPONSORED BY FRANKLIN HOLDINGS, LLC

(Exact Name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

001-41435

87-6458919

(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)

(Commission File Number)

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

One Franklin Parkway,

San Mateo, CA 94403-1906

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (650) 312-2000

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, 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:

☐	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))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

Trading

symbol(s)

Name of each exchange
on which registered

Shares of Franklin Responsibly Sourced Gold ETF

FGDL

NYSE Arca, Inc.

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 5.02

Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

On May 8, 2026, Christoper Berarducci was appointed as the Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer of Franklin Holdings, LLC (the “Sponsor”), the sponsor of Franklin Responsibly Sourced Gold ETF (the “Fund”). Also on May 8, 2026, Christopher Kings was appointed as Chief Financial Officer of the Sponsor.

Mr. Berarducci, 51, has served as Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer of the Sponsor since May 2026; as Vice President, Fund Administration and Reporting of Franklin Templeton since 2020; and as Treasurer since 2010 and Principal Financial Officer since 2019 of certain funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates. Mr. Berarducci previously served as, Managing Director (2020), Director (2015 to 2020), and Vice President (2011 to 2015) of Legg Mason & Co.

Mr. Kings, 51, has served as Chief Financial Officer of the Sponsor since May 2026 and Senior Vice President of Franklin Templeton Services, LLC since 2024. Mr. Kings previously served in other positions within Franklin Templeton including as Vice President of Global Fund Administration & Reporting in EMEA; and as an officer of certain funds in the Franklin Templeton fund complex for at least the past five years.

In addition, effective May 8, 2026, Vivek Pai resigned as Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer of the Sponsor and Matthew Hinkle resigned as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Sponsor. Mr. Hinkle and Mr. Pai’s respective decisions to resign were not the result of any dispute or disagreement with the Sponsor or the Fund on any matter relating to the Fund’s operations, policies or practices.

SIGNATURE

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.


FRANKLIN HOLDINGS LLC, in its capacity as sponsor of Franklin Templeton Holdings Trust (registrant)

By:		/s/ David Mann*
		David Mann
		President and Chief Executive Officer

Date: May 8, 2026

*	The registrant is a trust and the person is signing in his capacity as an officer of Franklin Holdings, LLC, the Sponsor of the registrant.

Source: View Original Filing on SEC EDGAR

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

3 documents