LOS ANGELES — June 29, 2026 — Global organizational consulting giant Korn Ferry (NYSE: KFY) announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire UK-headquartered talent acquisition and consulting firm AMS from OMERS Private Equity. The blockbuster transaction is valued at approximately £850 million (roughly $1.1 billion), positioning the combined entity as an undisputed leader in global talent and workforce solutions.
The acquisition brings together two massive, highly complementary players in the corporate talent space. Following the completion of the deal, the joint firm will boast a workforce of more than 16,000 specialists worldwide, collectively placing a professional into a new job roughly every 90 seconds.
“By bringing AMS into the Korn Ferry family, we are expanding our ability to help clients solve their most critical organizational challenges,” said Gary D. Burnison, CEO of Korn Ferry. “Despite all of the technological innovations of yesterday, today and tomorrow, the real driver of organizational success is people.”
Expanding the Toolkit
The merger bridges Korn Ferry’s established footprint in executive search, organizational solutions, and workforce strategy with AMS’s specialized strengths. Founded in 1996 by Rosaleen Blair, AMS is highly regarded for its expertise in:
- Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO)
- Early Careers and Campus Recruiting
- Contingent Workforce Solutions
- Skills Creation and Digital Consulting
AMS currently operates across more than 120 countries, with deep roots in European and Asian markets. Its client roster spans major blue-chip organizations in financial services, technology, healthcare, and the public sector.
Under the new structure, Blair will remain with the business in a Chair role, while AMS CEO Gordon Stuart noted that the partnership will “create new opportunities for our clients, our teams, and accelerate our ability to shape the future of work.”
Inside the Financials
The $1.1 billion purchase price will be executed via a mix of cash and equity:
- £659 million ($881 million) will be paid in cash. Korn Ferry plans to fund this using $300 million of cash on hand and roughly $581 million drawn from its existing revolving credit facility.
- £191 million ($255 million) will be paid in Korn Ferry common stock, translating to approximately 3.6 million shares subject to a 15% collar at closing.
AMS is a highly lucrative addition, currently generating approximately $650 million in annual fee revenue and $100 million in Adjusted EBITDA. Korn Ferry projects that within a year of closing, AMS’s run-rate Adjusted EBITDA contribution will scale to $140 million. Furthermore, AMS holds more than $1.5 billion in estimated fees remaining under its long-term active contracts, offering Korn Ferry significant long-term revenue visibility.
The transaction is expected to be immediately accretive to Korn Ferry’s earnings per share (excluding integration and transaction costs) and is slated to close in Korn Ferry’s second fiscal quarter of FY’27, subject to customary regulatory approvals.
A Successful Exit for OMERS
The sale marks the end of a highly growth-focused ownership period for OMERS Private Equity, which originally backed AMS during its major international expansion.
“AMS has made incredible progress over the course of our ownership,” said Michael Block, Head of Private Capital at OMERS. “We have supported the company as it has expanded its capabilities, strengthened its client relationships and focused on the people and organizations it serves. Korn Ferry is a strong strategic fit for AMS as it enters its next chapter.”