Drake International Founder Bill Pollock Dies at 97

Bill Pollock, the founder of global staffing firm Drake International, died on July 7, 2026, in Monaco. He was 97 years old.

Pollock, born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, co-founded the company in 1951, initially as Office Overload, helping to pioneer the modern staffing industry. His entrepreneurial journey spanned 75 years, during which he was credited with creating tens of millions of jobs and championing opportunities for women in the workforce.

The enterprise grew from its Winnipeg roots into a global operation with a presence in 14 countries and partner relationships in 128 more. Pollock was also an early adopter of technology, investing in systems that facilitated cross-border communication and business operations long before such practices were commonplace.

Throughout his career, Pollock emphasized the belief that opportunity multiplies when given, a principle reflected in his establishment of initiatives to support others. Drake International continues to operate globally, carrying forward the legacy of its founder in the human resources and workforce solutions sectors.