ManpowerGroup Inc. sold its Jefferson Wells U.S. consulting unit to professional‑services firm Sikich for $100 million, a transaction that includes more than 300 employees and the unit’s risk‑and‑compliance, finance‑and‑accounting, and tax consulting services.
The sale is part of ManpowerGroup’s portfolio‑pruning strategy, which has seen the company divest non‑core assets in markets such as the Philippines, South Korea, Austria, New Caledonia, and South Africa. By shedding Jefferson Wells, ManpowerGroup will strengthen its balance sheet, returning approximately $88 million in net cash proceeds to shareholders and reducing debt exposure in a company that carries $1.54 billion of debt against a market cap of $1.41 billion.
Jefferson Wells generated $76 million in revenue in 2025, so the divestiture removes that revenue from ManpowerGroup’s consolidated results. The proceeds will offset the loss of that revenue stream and support the company’s focus on its core staffing brands—Manpower, Experis, and Talent Solutions—while it continues to invest in technology platforms such as PowerSuite and Sophie AI.
"This transaction is a great outcome for our clients and shareholders as we continue to refine the portfolio to prioritize investments as part of our ongoing transformation," said Jonas Prising, ManpowerGroup Chair & CEO. "As we move forward, we are focused on our core business—growing our Manpower, Experis, and Talent Solutions brands, while continuing to connect people to sustainable work and support clients in building the skilled workforces they need to succeed." Christopher Geier, Sikich Chairman & CEO, added, "This acquisition enhances existing capabilities across our business, including deep expertise in risk and compliance, finance and accounting, and tax, making Jefferson Wells an ideal fit as we continue to scale." Ger Doyle, ManpowerGroup North America region president, noted, "We are delighted to see Jefferson Wells U.S. join Sikich, where there is strong alignment in capabilities, culture, and growth ambition. This creates exciting opportunities for the business and its people. My sincere thanks to the teams on both sides for their hard work and professionalism in bringing this together. As we move forward, we are energized to focus on our core business and continue delivering value for our clients and candidates across North America."
The transaction closed on April 30 2026, with the gain on sale expected to be recognized in the second quarter of 2026. ManpowerGroup’s stock was trading between $30.36 and $31.00 on the day of the announcement, reflecting a mix of optimism about the company’s strategic focus and caution over its recent margin pressure and debt levels. The sale follows a Q1 2026 earnings report in which the company beat expectations with an EPS of $0.51 versus $0.49 estimated and revenue of $4.51 billion versus $4.41 billion estimated, underscoring the firm’s operational momentum despite a 25‑30% decline in its market cap over the past year.
Sikich’s acquisition of Jefferson Wells expands its risk‑and‑compliance, finance‑and‑accounting, and tax services, positioning the firm to serve a broader client base and achieve synergies through shared culture and complementary capabilities. For ManpowerGroup, the divestiture signals a continued shift toward its core staffing and talent solutions businesses, reinforcing its long‑term strategy to grow through technology and focused service offerings while reducing debt and improving financial flexibility.
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