Form 4: Korn Ferry Executive Granted 8,500 Restricted Stock Units Under 10b5-1 Plan

Lesley Uren, CEO of Consulting at Korn Ferry, was granted 8,500 restricted stock units as compensation, vesting over four years starting July 2026, under a pre-arranged 10b5-1 plan.

Summary

• Lesley Uren, CEO of Consulting at Korn Ferry (KFY), acquired 8,500 shares of common stock on July 11, 2025.
• These shares were granted as restricted stock units (RSUs) for services rendered, with an acquisition price of $0.
• The transaction was made pursuant to a Rule 10b5-1(c) plan, indicating a pre-arranged trading strategy.
• The RSUs will vest in four equal annual installments, commencing on July 11, 2026.
• Following this transaction, Lesley Uren beneficially owns a total of 18,409 shares of Korn Ferry common stock.
• The total beneficial ownership includes 75 shares previously acquired under the Korn Ferry Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) that were not reported in prior Form 4 filings.

Sentiment

Score: 7

Explanation: The filing indicates a positive event (executive compensation grant) which aligns executive interests with shareholders and promotes retention, without any apparent negative implications.

Positives

• Grant of 8,500 restricted stock units to a key executive, Lesley Uren, aligns management incentives with shareholder interests.
• The grant serves as compensation for services, indicating continued commitment to the executive and promoting long-term retention through a four-year vesting schedule.
• The transaction was executed under a Rule 10b5-1(c) plan, demonstrating a pre-arranged and transparent approach to stock transactions.

Future Outlook

The vesting schedule for the granted restricted stock units indicates a future commitment to the executive, with vesting occurring in four equal annual installments commencing July 11, 2026.

Industry Context

This Form 4 filing reflects a standard practice in the executive search and consulting industry, where long-term incentive compensation, such as restricted stock units, is commonly used to attract, retain, and motivate key executives and align their interests with shareholder value creation. Such grants are typical for senior leadership roles like CEO of Consulting.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• The grant of restricted stock units as compensation is a common practice across professional services and consulting firms, including competitors like Heidrick & Struggles (HSII) and Spencer Stuart.
• While specific grant sizes vary based on role, performance, and company size, the use of equity-based compensation with multi-year vesting schedules is standard for executive retention and incentive alignment in the industry.

Corporate Governance

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: Potential positive impact through improved executive retention and alignment of management incentives with long-term company performance.
• Employees: May signal stability in executive leadership and a commitment to performance-based compensation.

Next Steps

• Continued vesting of the 8,500 restricted stock units in four equal annual installments, commencing July 11, 2026.

Key Dates

Recommendation

Keywords

Korn Ferry, KFY, SEC Form 4, Restricted Stock Units, RSU, Executive Compensation, Insider Transaction, Stock Grant, Lesley Uren, Corporate Governance, 10b5-1 Plan