UK Tax Strategy

Korn Ferry is publishing this UK tax strategy pursuant to the requirements of paragraph 19(2) of Schedule 19 of Finance Act 2016, and it relates to our financial year ending 30 April 2025. This strategy has been reviewed and approved by the Korn Ferry (UK) Limited Board of Directors.

1. How Korn Ferry manages UK Tax Risks

Korn Ferry is committed to applying professional diligence and care to ensure compliance with tax laws in the UK and all countries in which it operates. It is vital that we pay the correct amount of tax at the right time across the UK and all other jurisdictions. We are committed to reporting and disclosing all taxation matters in a timely fashion, under the relevant laws and regulations. We also actively seek advice from tax subject matter experts to identify, evaluate and manage UK tax risks, particularly where matters are significant or open to interpretation.

We are committed to maintaining a robust tax control framework aligned with our global standards of corporate governance and ethics. Tax governance forms an integral part of our wider risk management processes.

The Chief Financial Officer for EMEA is responsible for overall oversight of our tax risk. Day-to-day responsibility for our tax compliance rests with the Head of Tax for EMEA, who reports to the Chief Financial Officer. The Head of Tax for EMEA manages the in-house Tax team. Together, their duties include overseeing the preparation and submission of corporation tax returns, managing communications with HMRC, discussing complex matters with tax consequences to the Chief Financial Officer to obtain sign-off, seeking input from external tax advisors when necessary, and ensuring accurate tax accounting records and timely tax payments.

The Finance team works closely with the Tax team to:

• Ensure consistent implementation of the tax strategy throughout the group, with defined reporting lines and accountability;
• Align the tax strategy with our broader corporate governance and risk management framework;
• Comply with UK tax laws by paying the correct amount of tax when it is due.

We maintain internal controls including periodic tax audits, compliance checklists, and automated reporting systems to monitor tax obligations.

2. Korn Ferry’s attitude to tax planning

Our tax strategy is aligned with our overall business strategy and our approach toward corporate governance and risk management. We do not engage in artificial tax arrangements or tolerate tax evasion, and we aim to maintain a prudent approach to the group’s tax planning. Our structures are primarily designed and implemented with commercial and economic substance in mind, whilst managing our shareholders’ long-term interests and considering operational, economic and reputational factors.

We ensure that financial statements and tax returns are prepared with sufficient detail to enable Tax Authorities to form an accurate and comprehensive understanding of the filing entity’s affairs. This is supported by a robust audit trail and a clearly defined sign-off process.

We will claim all reliefs and incentives to which it is legitimately entitled. To the extent that undertaking a transaction may give rise to tax efficiencies, we would only do so if it is aligned with our commercial activities and compliant with the relevant tax legislation. We would not structure a transaction for the sole purpose of reducing the group’s tax liability.

In instances where there is uncertainty regarding the interpretation or application of tax legislation, complex transactions, or where legislation is ambiguous, we will seek guidance from reputable external professional advisers to ensure clarity and compliance.

3. The level of risk Korn Ferry is prepared to accept for UK taxation

Our tax strategy is founded on the proactive identification and mitigation of tax-related risks, ensuring they are maintained within acceptable parameters and aligned with our overarching risk management principles.

Our aim is to be transparent with our stakeholders and compliant with tax legislation, and we adopt a conservative attitude to tax risk. We exercise reasonable care and due diligence with a view to minimising potential UK tax risks, particularly where tax law can be complicated or unclear. We seek external tax advice on any material or complex risks that arise where further expert knowledge and insight is required and stay informed of tax law changes through consultation with subject matter experts. Overall, Korn Ferry has a low appetite for tax risk.

4. How Korn Ferry works with HMRC

We maintain a professional and constructive relationship with HMRC, underpinned by integrity and a consistent approach.

We are committed to the principles of openness and transparency in our dealings with HMRC and all tax authorities around the world as a valuable part of managing our tax compliance obligations. We endeavour to engage with tax authorities in a collaborative, courteous and timely manner, maintain an open dialogue and together resolve any potential disputes as quickly as possible.

Where HMRC or any other local tax authority have a different interpretation of the corporation tax legislation from ours and the external advisors, we work with the relevant authorities to reach a timely and pragmatic agreement. In pursuit of the highest professional standards, we are committed to full cooperation with tax authorities in an open and transparent manner. We seek to minimise the likelihood of unnecessary disputes with HMRC through engagement and open communication, including the facilitation of meetings to discuss pertinent aspects of the business.

Publication and Review

This strategy is published on Korn Ferry’s UK website and will remain accessible free of charge until replaced by the next annual update. It will be reviewed annually and updated as necessary