Office address: level 18/88 Phillip St, Sydney NSW 2000
Website: www.kornferry.com/au
Year established: 1979
Company type: business consulting and services
Employees: 400+
Expertise: leadership and talent consulting, executive search, talent management, coaching, organizational strategy, talent acquisition, assessment and succession, rewards and benefits, leadership development
Parent company: Korn Ferry International
Key people: Esther Colwill (president APAC), Pip Eastman (MD), Stephanie Edwards (regional leader), Alexandra Goodfellow (vice chair), Graeme Bricknell (head of executive search), Carl Portelli (markets leader), Deanne Barbary (senior client partner)
Financing status: N/A
Korn Ferry is an organisational consulting company, headquartered in Sydney, specialising in optimal organisation design, talent acquisition, and workforce motivation. They support private, public, and government organisations in Australia and the Asia Pacific region. With over 400 employees, the firm helps Australian leaders unlock potential in their teams and organisations.
Korn Ferry was founded in Los Angeles, California by Lester Korn and Richard Ferry in 1969 and expanded to Australia in 1979. In 1998, they launched Futurestep, an internet-based recruitment service. The company merged with Hay Group in 2015, significantly enhancing their HR consultancy capabilities.
In 2021, the company acquired Lucas Group, boosting their professional search and staffing services. They further expanded in 2022 by acquiring Patina Solutions Group and ICS, specialising in interim workforce solutions. In 2023, the firm acquired Salo, a firm connecting professionals in finance, accounting, and HR with organisations in need of expertise.
The company offers a range of services designed to address various organisational needs:
organisation strategy: designs optimal structures, roles, and responsibilities for improved organisational performance
assessment and succession: develops programs to assess talent and ensure smooth succession planning
talent acquisition: provides comprehensive recruitment solutions to attract and hire top talent
leadership and professional development: focuses on developing leadership skills and professional growth
total rewards: creates effective rewards and benefits packages to motivate employees
business transformation: guides companies through strategic changes to enhance business performance
intelligence cloud: utilises advanced HR technology platforms for data-driven decision-making
board and CEO services: offers specialised services for board and CEO roles to ensure strong leadership
Korn Ferry’s organisational consulting services address crucial challenges in attracting, advancing, motivating, and retaining talent. They help businesses bridge the gap between current capabilities and sustainable growth.
The company is committed to fostering an autonomous, flexible, and diverse work environment where talent thrives and excellence is acknowledged. Employees are empowered to share and implement their ideas, supported by exceptional training and development opportunities tailored to their career stage. They offer a range of benefits:
equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer for minority, female, disability, and veteran
collaborative environment that promotes innovation, teamwork, and community
flexible work arrangements between CBD offices and home
access to the latest technologies, tools, and Korn Ferry IP
ongoing learning and development opportunities
unparallelled career opportunities within the broader Korn Ferry network
Their ESG and Corporate Responsibility Program aims to help people and organisations reach their potential, focusing on client impact, environmental sustainability, community engagement, and ethical business practices. They integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion into these initiatives, enhancing their overall impact:
business practices: 56% of board directors are diverse, 50% hold leadership roles, and 89% are independent
people and community: 62% of the global workforce are women
environmental sustainability: aims to cut Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 30% from the 2019 baseline by 2025, with a 14% reduction from 2021 to 2022
client impact and thought leadership: drives positive outcomes through people-focused ESG strategies, including sustainability and DE&I
Korn Ferry prioritises inclusion as a core value, bringing together diverse backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives. This diversity strengthens their innovation and agility, enhancing connections with people, clients, and communities. Their approach to equity, diversity, and inclusion focuses on:
talent: hiring, developing, and advancing diverse talent
culture: promoting a sustainable, inclusive culture
impact: increasing societal impact on DE&I issues with clients and communities
They actively volunteer with the Australian Business and Community Network, supporting students from low socioeconomic backgrounds. They also organised a blood drive for the Australian Red Cross Lifeblood, providing crucial support to the community. These initiatives reflect the company's commitment to positive community engagement and support.
Esther Colwill serves as president of Korn Ferry's APAC region and global technology industries. Previously, she was MD at Accenture, VP at Genpact, and a principal at Deloitte. She graduated from the University of Oxford with an MA in politics, philosophy, and economics.
The key people who support the president in operating the company include:
Pip Eastman, managing director, APAC Solutions, Korn Ferry RPO, oversees recruitment process outsourcing solutions across the Asia Pacific region
Stephanie Edwards, a regional leader, Korn Ferry Digital, APAC, drives digital transformation initiatives within the region
Alexandra Goodfellow, serving as vice chair, Australasia, provides strategic guidance and leadership in the Australasian market
Graeme Bricknell, as head of executive search Australia and New Zealand and head of global financial markets Australasia, leads executive search efforts and financial market initiatives
Carl Portelli, as a markets leader Australia and New Zealand, focuses on market development and client relationships
Deanne Barbary, serving as a senior client partner, APAC RPO, manages client partnerships and recruitment process outsourcing in the Asia Pacific region
The company's recent FY'24 results highlight their resilience and adaptability in a competitive market. Their diversified offerings, particularly in consulting and digital solutions, are driving solid results. Looking ahead, Korn Ferry is set to continue innovating and providing relevant solutions to help clients navigate a rapidly changing business landscape.
The firm recently launched a book called ‘Love, Hope & Leadership: A Special Edition,’ highlighting reflections on leadership in a dynamic world. The book offers valuable insights for professionals, based on the company's extensive experience. With these initiatives, they seek to shape effective leaders and advance organisational success.
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