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Korn Ferry Signs Definitive Agreement to Acquire AMS, Expanding Global Talent and Workforce Solutions
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Korn Ferry has announced a definitive agreement to acquire UK-headquartered AMS in a transaction valued at approximately £850 million, marking one of the largest acquisitions in the talent consulting and workforce solutions industry in recent years. The move significantly expands Korn Ferry's end-to-end talent capabilities, combining executive search, organizational consulting, recruitment process outsourcing (RPO), contingent workforce management, and AI-enabled talent solutions under one global organization.
The acquisition reflects a broader shift in how enterprises are approaching workforce transformation. As organizations navigate skills shortages, AI adoption, changing workforce expectations, and increasing pressure to build agile talent strategies, demand is growing for integrated partners capable of supporting every stage of the talent lifecycle. By bringing AMS into its portfolio, Korn Ferry is positioning itself to address these evolving customer needs through a more comprehensive suite of consulting and workforce solutions.
Creating a Comprehensive Talent Solutions Platform
The combination brings together two organizations with complementary strengths. Korn Ferry has built its reputation around executive search, leadership development, organizational consulting, compensation advisory, and professional search, while AMS is widely recognized for its expertise in recruitment process outsourcing, talent acquisition, workforce management, and employer branding.
Following completion of the transaction, the combined organization will employ more than 16,000 professionals globally, with the scale to place a professional into a new role approximately every 90 seconds. The acquisition also adds more than $1.5 billion in estimated remaining fees under existing long-term customer contracts, providing Korn Ferry with increased revenue visibility and strengthening its recurring services business.
By integrating consulting expertise with large-scale talent delivery capabilities, Korn Ferry aims to offer clients a unified approach that connects workforce strategy with execution, enabling organizations to recruit, develop, retain, and transform talent more effectively.
Responding to the Future of Work
The acquisition comes at a pivotal moment for employers worldwide. Artificial intelligence, automation, demographic shifts, and evolving employee expectations are reshaping how organizations attract and manage talent.
Rather than treating recruitment as a standalone function, enterprises are increasingly seeking strategic workforce partners capable of aligning hiring decisions with long-term business objectives. The combination of Korn Ferry and AMS is designed to support this evolution by delivering scalable, data-driven talent strategies across industries and geographies.
The expanded platform will enable organizations to access integrated services spanning executive hiring, permanent recruitment, contingent workforce management, leadership advisory, organizational design, employee development, and workforce transformation. Together, these capabilities position the combined company to help enterprises respond more effectively to changing labor markets while improving productivity and organizational resilience.
Strengthening Long-Term Growth
Financially, the transaction is expected to strengthen Korn Ferry's long-term growth profile by expanding recurring revenue streams and increasing exposure to outsourced talent solutions, one of the fastest-growing segments within the human capital industry.
The acquisition will be funded through a combination of cash, existing credit facilities, and Korn Ferry common stock. The transaction remains subject to customary regulatory approvals, including antitrust clearances in relevant jurisdictions, and is expected to close during the fiscal quarter ending October 30, 2026.
Beyond financial benefits, the deal reinforces Korn Ferry's strategy of becoming the partner of choice for organizations navigating increasingly complex workforce challenges. As AI reshapes hiring, skills planning, and organizational design, integrated talent ecosystems are becoming a strategic differentiator.
With AMS joining the organization, Korn Ferry is significantly expanding its ability to help clients align people strategy with business transformation, creating a stronger platform to support the future of work.
About Korn Ferry
Korn Ferry is a global organizational consulting firm that helps organizations align strategy, operations, and talent to drive business performance. Its services span executive search, leadership development, organizational consulting, professional search, compensation advisory, and digital talent solutions, supporting clients across industries worldwide.
Source and Credits: Korn Ferry Announcement