Korn Ferry has been named a Global Leader in Everest Group's Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) Services PEAK Matrix Assessment 2026, with recognition across the U.S., UK, and India assessments. The designation highlights the firm's strength in key markets and its continued investment in workforce solutions, consulting expertise, and technology. The assessment analyzed the performance of more than 50 service providers, evaluating RPO capabilities across market adoption, portfolio mix, value delivered, scope of services offered, innovation and investments, delivery footprint, and vision and strategy.

The report recognizes Korn Ferry for its industry-leading approach to workforce solutions, specifically client strategy, global delivery capabilities, and continued investment in technology. A key investment cited is Korn Ferry Nimble Recruit, a Talent Suite-enabled recruitment platform that helps organizations attract, engage, and hire talent through AI-powered workflows and analytics. The assessment also highlights the firm's ability to integrate recruitment process outsourcing with broader organizational, workforce, leadership, and talent advisory services.

"We’re pleased to be recognized by Everest Group for our continued leadership in RPO," said Jeanne MacDonald, CEO of Recruitment Process Outsourcing at Korn Ferry. "As organizations navigate hiring volatility, skills disruption and AI-driven change, Korn Ferry is helping clients connect recruiting with broader workforce strategy to make smarter talent decisions and build more agile workforces."

Everest Group noted that Korn Ferry offers a strong consulting-integrated RPO solution, supported by a global delivery footprint and deep expertise in hiring for a wide range of roles across key industries. The firm's investments in Flexible Recruitment Services, Korn Ferry Nimble Recruit, advanced analytics and market intelligence, and skills advisory capabilities have helped it create an impactful value proposition for its core buyers. This has enabled Korn Ferry to retain its position as a Leader in the Global RPO Services PEAK Matrix Assessment 2026.

Assessment Methodology

For the RPO Services PEAK Matrix Assessment, Everest Group analyzed approximately 7,000 multi-process RPO deals in addition to third-party RPO deals. The report divides RPO providers into three main categories: Leaders, Major Contenders, and Aspirants. The evaluation criteria focus on the providers' ability to deliver value and innovate in the RPO market.

Korn Ferry has entered into a definitive agreement with OMERS Private Equity to acquire AMS for approximately £850 million (approximately $1.1 billion) to create a global leader in talent and organizational consulting. The transaction combines Korn Ferry’s expertise in Search, Talent & Organizational Solutions, and Workforce Solutions with AMS’s strengths in Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO), Early Careers, and Contingent Workforce Solutions. The combined entity will have more than 16,000 colleagues and place a professional in a job approximately every 90 seconds.

The acquisition agreement stipulates an aggregate purchase price of approximately £850 million, consisting of approximately £659 million in cash and approximately £191 million in Korn Ferry common stock. Korn Ferry plans to fund the cash portion using approximately $300 million of cash on hand and the remaining approximately $581 million through borrowings under its existing revolver. Additionally, Korn Ferry will issue approximately 3.6 million shares, subject to a 15% collar at the closing.

On a current annual run-rate basis, AMS is generating approximately $650 million of Fee Revenue and $100 million of Adjusted EBITDA. Korn Ferry estimates that the run-rate Adjusted EBITDA contribution will reach approximately $140 million within a year following the closing, assuming no adverse change in the economic environment. AMS’s long-term contracts will add more than $1.5 billion in estimated fees remaining under existing contracts, enhancing revenue visibility.

The consummation of the transaction is subject to receipt of regulatory clearances and is expected to close in Korn Ferry’s fiscal second quarter of FY’27. The transaction is expected to be immediately accretive to earnings per share in the first full year after adjusting for restructuring, integration, and transaction costs. A conference call to discuss the transaction is scheduled for Monday, June 29 at 8:30 a.m. EDT.

Financial Breakdown of Acquisition

Operational Metrics