FS Specialty Lending Fund (FSSL) appoints William Goebel as new CFO
FS Specialty Lending Fund reported a planned change in its finance leadership. Edward T. Gallivan, Jr. notified the board that he will resign as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, effective at the close of business on December 31, 2025. The company states that his resignation is not due to any disagreement regarding operations, policies, or practices.
On December 29, 2025, the board appointed William Goebel as the new Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, effective at the same time Mr. Gallivan departs. Goebel is 51 and has extensive experience in investment management finance roles, including senior positions at KKR FS Income Trust entities and FS KKR Capital Corp., and earlier work at Ernst & Young and a regional accounting firm. He is a Managing Director of FS Investments, a CPA, and a CFA charterholder. The company notes he will not receive direct compensation from FS Specialty Lending Fund for this role and that there are no family relationships or related party transactions requiring disclosure.
Positive
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Insights
Planned CFO transition with an experienced internal successor and no stated dispute.
The report describes an orderly handover of financial leadership at FS Specialty Lending Fund. The outgoing CFO, Edward T. Gallivan, Jr., is resigning effective at the close of business on
The board has already appointed William Goebel as the incoming Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, also effective at the close of business on
The filing also notes there is no agreement or understanding with any person regarding his appointment, no family relationships with trustees or executives, and no related party transactions reportable under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K. He will not receive direct compensation from FS Specialty Lending Fund, which reflects the common structure where key officers are employed by an external adviser. Overall, this appears as a routine leadership transition with continuity in financial expertise, although the longer-term impact will depend on how effectively the new CFO maintains reporting quality and controls in future periods.
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
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| Item 5.02. | Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers. |
On December 19, 2025, Edward T. Gallivan, Jr. notified the board of trustees (the “Board”) of FS Specialty Lending Fund (the “Company”) that he is resigning from his role as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Company, effective as of the close of business on December 31, 2025. Mr. Gallivan’s resignation was not due to any disagreement with the Company on any matter relating to the Company’s operations, policies or practices.
On December 29, 2025, the Board appointed William Goebel as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, effective as of the close of business on December 31, 2025. Mr. Goebel’s appointment was not pursuant to any agreement or understanding with the Company or any other person. There is no family relationship between Mr. Goebel and any of the Company’s trustees or other executive officers, and there are no related party transactions with regard to Mr. Goebel that are reportable under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K. Mr. Goebel will not receive any direct compensation from the Company.
Set forth below is Mr. Goebel’s biographical information:
William Goebel, age 51 has served as Chief Accounting Officer of KKR FS Income Trust Select, KKR FS Income Trust, and FS KKR Capital Corp. (“FSK”) since 2023, 2022 and 2019, respectively. Previously, Mr. Goebel served as FSK’s Treasurer from April 2018 to June 2020 and FSK’s Chief Financial Officer from March 2011 to October 2019. Mr. Goebel is also a Managing Director of FS Investments. Prior to joining FS Investments, Mr. Goebel held a senior manager audit position with Ernst & Young LLP in the firm’s asset management practice from 2003 to January 2011, where he was responsible for the audits of regulated investment companies, private investment partnerships, investment advisers and broker-dealers. Mr. Goebel began his career at a regional public accounting firm, Tait, Weller and Baker LLP in 1997. Mr. Goebel received a B.S. in Economics from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 1997. He is a Certified Public Accountant and a CFA charterholder.
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| FS Specialty Lending Fund | |||
| Date: | December 30, 2025 | By: | /s/ Stephen S. Sypherd |
| Stephen S. Sypherd | |||
| Secretary and General Counsel | |||
FAQ
What leadership change did FS Specialty Lending Fund (FSSL) disclose?
FS Specialty Lending Fund disclosed that Edward T. Gallivan, Jr. will resign as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, effective at the close of business on December 31, 2025, and that William Goebel has been appointed to succeed him in both roles, effective at the same time.
Why is the FS Specialty Lending Fund CFO resigning, according to the company?
The company states that Mr. Gallivan’s resignation is not due to any disagreement with FS Specialty Lending Fund on matters related to its operations, policies, or practices.
Who is William Goebel, the new CFO and Treasurer of FS Specialty Lending Fund (FSSL)?
William Goebel, age 51, has served as Chief Accounting Officer of KKR FS Income Trust Select, KKR FS Income Trust, and FS KKR Capital Corp. since 2023, 2022, and 2019, respectively. He previously was FSK’s Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer, is a Managing Director of FS Investments, and is both a Certified Public Accountant and a CFA charterholder.
Does FS Specialty Lending Fund report any disagreements or issues related to this CFO transition?
No. The company explicitly states that Mr. Gallivan’s resignation was not due to any disagreement relating to operations, policies, or practices, which indicates the change is not being attributed to internal disputes.
Will the new CFO of FS Specialty Lending Fund receive direct compensation from the fund?
The filing states that Mr. Goebel will not receive any direct compensation from FS Specialty Lending Fund in connection with his service as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer.
Are there any related party or family relationships disclosed for the new FSSL CFO?
The company notes there is no family relationship between Mr. Goebel and any trustee or executive officer, and that there are no related party transactions involving him that are reportable under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.
