Office address: level 40/55 Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Website: www.au.drakeintl.com
Year established: 1951
Company type: human resources services
Employees: 260+
Expertise: staffing, recruitment, human resources, employment, permanent recruiting, temporary staffing, trades, executive recruitment, customer service recruitment, warehousing, labour, retail and procurement recruitment, government staffing, office administration recruitment
Parent company: N/A
Key people: Bill Pollock (chairman), Frank Spizzo FCPA (CFO), Nicole Jones (GM), Paul Marshall (GM), Sarah Ross (national marketing manager), Paul Unstead (national manager of operations), Corbin Hanna (national marketing coordinator), Lee Chung (national recruitment manager)
Financing status: N/A
Drake International is a global recruitment agency headquartered in Melbourne, with over 260 employees across 13 offices nationwide. The company offers a broad range of recruitment services, specialising in connecting candidates with roles that match their skills and career goals. They are dedicated to supporting both clients and candidates throughout the employment journey.
Drake International was founded in 1951 by Bill Pollock and Jim Shore in Winnipeg, Canada, initially focused on improving organisational productivity through workforce measurement. The company expanded to provide flexible and permanent staffing solutions, and in the 1990s, developed Drake Prometric, the world’s first international computerised testing company.
In 2006, they introduced a full suite of Talent Management Solutions to enhance workforce productivity. By 2015, they launched Drake Analytics to help organisations leverage HR data for better decision-making. Celebrating their 70th anniversary in 2021, it now operates in 11 countries globally.
The company offers a comprehensive range of recruitment products and services:
permanent recruitment: specialises in identifying and placing long-term candidates
white collar labour hire: provides temporary staffing for administrative and professional roles
blue collar labour hire: supplies skilled and semi-skilled workers for industrial sectors
executive search and selection: tailors recruitment for high-level executive positions
contract staff: delivers temporary workers for specific project needs
special hire and modular recruitment: custom recruitment solutions for unique business requirements
talent management services: includes behavioural assessments, online training, and workforce wellness programs
turnover calculator: a tool to measure and manage employee turnover rates
Drake International simplifies the recruitment process, using proven methodologies to identify top talent, ensuring cost-effective and efficient staffing solutions for Australian businesses.
The company fosters a culture that prioritises people, encouraging staff to realise their potential in an environment that values authenticity and empowers excellence. It is deeply committed to supporting both candidates and clients. With a clear mission to drive success for job seekers and organisations alike, it offers various employee benefits, including:
competitive salary and compensation: fair and market-aligned pay
flexible work arrangements: customised work schedules
professional development support: study assistance and ongoing training
health and wellbeing initiatives: discounted gym memberships, health benefits, and flu vaccinations
recognition and reward programs: acknowledgement of outstanding contributions
other benefits: ‘me’ day, team events, and EAP
Drake International is deeply committed to fostering a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion across all levels of the organisation. This commitment is realised through initiatives that eliminate stigmas, promote education, and build mutual understanding, ensuring every team member feels valued and included. It strives to lead by example, with initiatives including:
DE&I committee: guides inclusivity programs and discussions
Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan: promotes understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
collaborative DE&I statement: a collective expression of the team’s commitment to unity and respect
Drake International operates with a strong emphasis on ethics, which has been a cornerstone of the company since its inception. Guided by a code of ethics and the Drake creed, the company is committed to continually innovating and improving services for both clients and candidates. These principles have supported Drake's growth from a small office to a global presence, ensuring respect and trust in all their operations.
Bill Pollock is the co-founder and chairman of Drake International, a position he has held for over 70 years. Before founding Drake, he worked as a sales representative at Burroughs Corporation and was one of the youngest members to join the Young President's Organisation. Pollock holds a Bachelor of commerce degree from the University of Manitoba.
Supporting Bill Pollock in the operation of the company is a team of key people who manage various functions across the company:
Frank Spizzo FCPA, serving as the company CFO, overseeing financial strategy and management
Nicole Jones, as general manager - Australia, managing operations across the Australian market
Paul Marshall, as general manager - Drake Professional, focusing on professional staffing solutions
Sarah Ross, as national marketing manager, leading marketing and branding initiatives
Paul Unstead, serving as national manager of operations, ensuring smooth and efficient operational practices
Corbin Hanna, as national marketing coordinator, supporting and executing marketing strategies
Lee Chung, as national recruitment manager, leading recruitment efforts across the country
The company continues to innovate, recently launching its new website to better serve HR professionals and job seekers. This digital platform offers enhanced features for browsing job listings, submitting resumes, and accessing HR resources. As Drake International improves, they remain committed to meeting the needs of their clients and candidates in an increasingly digital marketplace.
Drake WellbeingHub recently hosted a workshop aimed at helping business leaders build trust and cultivate high-performance team cultures. This initiative highlights the company’s commitment to enhancing workplace environments and supporting leadership development. It plans to continue offering these resources, reinforcing their role in fostering organisational success.
