Korn Ferry Acquires AMS for $800M, Expanding Global Talent Consulting Footprint — Korn Ferry

Event summary

Korn Ferry completed its acquisition of UK-based AMS from OMERS Private Equity on September 1, 2026.
The deal involved £473 million and $326 million in cash, plus 3.1 million Korn Ferry shares.
Combined entity has nearly 17,000 employees across 130+ offices globally.
AMS brings technology-enabled talent solutions and long-term client contracts.

The big picture

This acquisition positions Korn Ferry as a global leader in talent and organizational consulting, combining AMS's operational capabilities with its own strategic advisory services. The deal reflects broader industry consolidation trends as firms seek to offer comprehensive solutions in an increasingly competitive talent management market. The $800 million transaction underscores the strategic value placed on technology-enabled talent solutions in the professional services sector.

What we're watching

Integration Challenges: How Korn Ferry will manage the operational integration of AMS's technology-enabled solutions with its existing consulting services.
Client Retention: Whether the combined firm can maintain AMS's long-term contracted client relationships while expanding its service offerings.
Market Positioning: The pace at which the combined entity can leverage its expanded capabilities to compete against other global talent consulting firms.