Bill Pollock, the Canadian entrepreneur who co-founded global recruitment firm Drake International and spent many years living in Monaco, has died at his home in the Principality at the age of 97…
Pollock, who lived at Europa Résidence on Boulevard des Moulins, helped pioneer the modern staffing industry when he and business partner Jim Shore founded Office Overload in Winnipeg in 1951. The company evolved into Drake International, which today operates in 14 countries with a partner network spanning more than 128 nations.
Throughout his career, Pollock championed innovation, investing in early communications technologies and promoting international business collaboration. He was also a strong advocate for developing talent and advancing women into leadership positions, a philosophy that continues to shape the company today.
In a statement, Drake International said Pollock had “a rare gift” for recognising potential in others before they saw it themselves, adding that his vision had helped build both a global business and an entire industry. When asked how he wished to be remembered, Pollock’s simple reply was: “For making it a better world.”
Friends in Monaco remember him as energetic and full of life well into his nineties. Pollock himself often credited his remarkable longevity to a lifelong love of ballroom dancing, a passion he believed kept both his body and mind active throughout his extraordinary life.
Image: Drake International