Korn Ferry to Acquire AMS for $1.1 Billion in Talent Consulting Expansion — Korn Ferry

Event summary

Korn Ferry agrees to acquire UK-based AMS for approximately $1.1 billion, combining cash and stock.
The deal will create a global leader in talent and organizational consulting with over 16,000 employees.
AMS generates $650 million in annual fee revenue and $100 million in adjusted EBITDA.
Transaction expected to close in Korn Ferry’s second fiscal quarter of FY’27.
Rosaleen Blair, AMS Founder and Chair, will continue in a Chair role post-acquisition.

The big picture

Korn Ferry’s acquisition of AMS underscores a broader industry trend toward consolidation in professional services, particularly in talent and organizational consulting. The deal enhances Korn Ferry’s capabilities in recruitment process outsourcing (RPO) and contingent workforce solutions, positioning it to better compete with larger rivals like Mercer and Willis Towers Watson. With the combined entity generating significant revenue visibility from long-term contracts, the acquisition is expected to drive immediate earnings accretion.

What we're watching

Integration Challenges: How Korn Ferry will integrate AMS’s operations and retain key employees post-acquisition.
Revenue Synergies: The pace at which the combined entity can leverage existing contracts for scalable talent strategies.
Market Positioning: Whether the acquisition will solidify Korn Ferry’s leadership in global talent consulting.