It is with deep sadness that Drake Business Logistics (DBL) and Drake Business Services Asia (DBSA) acknowledge the passing of Drake International Founder, William “Bill” Pollock, who passed away on 7 July 2026 at the age of 97.
Bill was more than the founder of Drake International. He was a visionary entrepreneur, an innovator, and a leader whose unwavering belief in the power of meaningful work transformed millions of lives around the world. His legacy extends far beyond the organisation he founded in Winnipeg in 1951. It lives on through the people he inspired, the opportunities he created, and the values that continue to shape Drake today.
Over the past 75 years, Bill helped pioneer the modern workforce solutions industry, building Drake into a global organisation operating across 14 countries with partner relationships spanning more than 128 others. Throughout that journey, he remained committed to a simple but powerful belief: that meaningful work changes lives.
A Lasting Influence on DBSA
For those of us at DBL and DBSA, Bill’s passing is deeply personal.
From the earliest days of our business, Bill was an enthusiastic supporter of the vision behind DBL and DBSA. He recognised the opportunity to build something different – an organisation focused on helping clients solve complex operational challenges through innovation, technology and service excellence, and his encouragement helped lay the foundations for what DBL and DBSA have become today.
While many knew Bill as a global business leader, those who had the privilege of working alongside him remember something equally important: his generosity with his time, his genuine interest in people, and his unwavering optimism.
Grant Mackenzie, Founder and current Service Line Lead of Drake Business Logistics and Drake Business Services Asia, reflected on Bill’s remarkable influence:
“Bill was an extraordinary entrepreneur and an even more extraordinary person. He was a tremendous supporter of the DBL and DBSA vision from the very beginning and played an important role in helping us build the business we have today. Looking back, so many memories of those early days come flooding back. Starting a new business always brings unexpected obstacles and challenges.
Bill’s unstinting support and investment during the most difficult times was an inspiration and a hugely motivating influence on our entire team. His encouragement, belief in our team and passion for creating opportunity will never be forgotten. Bill will be missed enormously. Rest in peace, dear friend, mentor and business partner.”
A Legacy That Will Endure
Bill believed that business success and positive social impact should never be separated.
That philosophy continues to shape Drake today. In its 75th anniversary year, the organisation reaffirmed this commitment through initiatives including Drake Force for Good, investments in education and workforce development, and programs designed to create opportunities for future generations – demonstrating that Bill’s vision remains firmly embedded in the organisation’s future.
His influence can also be seen in the culture he cultivated. Long before it became common practice, Bill championed diversity, empowered women into leadership positions, and believed that organisations thrive when they invest in people.
Thank You, Bill
As we reflect on Bill’s extraordinary life, we remember not only a pioneering entrepreneur, but a mentor, supporter and friend whose generosity, curiosity and belief in others helped shape countless careers, including many within our own organisation.
His legacy lives on through the values we uphold, the partnerships we build, and the opportunities we create for our clients, our communities and one another.
On behalf of everyone at Drake Business Logistics and Drake Business Services Asia, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Bill’s family, friends and colleagues across the global Drake network.
Thank you, Bill, for your vision, your leadership and your unwavering belief that business can be a force for opportunity.
Your legacy will continue to inspire us for generations to come.
