Office address: 77 King Street West, Suite 4300, Toronto, Ontario M5K 2A1
Website: https://ca-fr.drakeintl.com/
Year established: 1951
Company type: human resources services
Employees: 1,000+
Expertise: employment, learning management system, training, human resources, knowledge management, consulting, retention, recruiting, staffing, HRIS, psychometric, behavioural, and skill assessments, workforce analytics, outplacement, health and safety training, HR advice, permanent recruitment, temporary recruitment, specialty recruitment
Parent company: N/A
Key people: Bill Pollock (chairman), Karen Blott (global CEO), Alan Guneyler (CEO Canada) Simon Harding (global CFO), Jon McKittrick (director), Yvonne Griffatong (regional VP), Sian Dawson (regional VP), Katherine Perrin (director)
Financing status: N/A
Drake International, headquartered in Toronto, is a global leader in recruitment and talent management solutions. With over 1,000 employees worldwide and 18 branches across Canada, the company specializes in permanent and flexible staffing. Their mission focuses on improving organizational outcomes by maximizing human resource potential.
Drake International was founded in 1951 in Winnipeg by Jim Shore and Bill Pollock, initially focusing on workforce optimization to boost organizational productivity. By 1957, the company expanded globally, opening its first European branch. From 1960 to 1975, Drake's growth extended across major U.S. and Canadian cities, enhancing its recruitment services.
In the 1980s, the company launched its IT Recruitment Division and developed the computerized assessment service, Drake Prometric. By 2008, they expanded into global recruitment and talent management solutions. Drake also developed HR analytics tools in 2015 and a digital recruitment platform in 2018, celebrating 70 years of success by 2021.
Drake International offers a range of tailored solutions to meet various HR needs:
permanent, flexible, and specialty recruitment: provides staffing for various roles and industries, customized to client requirements
psychometric, behavioural, and skill assessments: tools to evaluate candidate suitability and job performance
employee engagement surveys: measure employee satisfaction and engagement to improve retention
workforce analytics: data-driven insights to enhance HR decision-making
outplacement: support for employees transitioning from roles
Drake Health and Safety Academy: offers safety training and compliance programs
Drake Training Academy: provides skill development and training programs
HR advisor: expert consulting for HR processes and challenges
HR documents and templates: ready-to-use HR resources for policy and process management
Drake International provides customized HR solutions that align businesses with the right talent, skills, and technology for optimal performance. Their approach focuses on long-term success by addressing specific challenges and improving organizational efficiency. Through partnerships, they offer tailored strategies to help clients achieve measurable results.
Their culture is grounded in values of respect, pride, agility, integrity, and passion, driving both company growth and employee success. The work environment emphasizes motivation, enthusiasm, and a results-driven attitude, fostering a dynamic, supportive atmosphere. Employees are encouraged to excel, benefiting from development opportunities and strong internal networks, with key benefits such as:
career development: excellent training programs, continuing education, and advancement opportunities
global opportunities: work abroad in 11 countries and Poland (for technology development purposes)
compensation and benefits: potential for uncapped earnings and competitive benefits packages
Drake International is dedicated to charitable efforts and community involvement, actively supporting various causes across Canada. Their contributions reflect a commitment to giving back and positively impacting communities. These initiatives focus on both local and national levels, demonstrating their broader social responsibility, including programs such as:
Children’s Wish Foundation: helping grant wishes for children with life-threatening illnesses
University of Manitoba’s Asper School of Business: supporting educational development
Food Banks Canada: assisting in hunger relief across the country
The company believes that achieving better organizational outcomes requires a tailored approach to solving specific business challenges. Their philosophy emphasizes that optimal performance comes from employing the right people with the right skills and knowledge. By integrating technology and long-term strategies, Drake ensures clients benefit from streamlined, effective HR processes to meet their goals.
Bill Pollock is the co-founder and chairman of Drake International, a role he has held for over 70 years. Before founding the company, he worked as a sales representative at Burroughs Corporation and became one of the youngest members of the Young President’s Organization. Pollock holds a bachelor of commerce degree from the University of Manitoba, highlighting his extensive experience in business leadership.
Bill Pollock is supported by a group of key executives who manage various aspects of the company’s operations:
Karen Meredith Blott, global CEO, oversees overall company strategy and performance
Alan Guneyler, CEO of Drake International Canada, manages the company’s Canadian operations
Simon Harding, global CFO, directs financial strategy and management of the company
Jon McKittrick, director of human resources and safety, ensures HR compliance and safety
Yvonne Griffatong, regional VP, Ontario West, supervises operations in the western regions of Ontario
Sian Dawson, regional VP, Ontario East and Quebec, oversees business in the eastern regions of Ontario and Quebec
Katherine Perrin, director of marketing, leads marketing strategy and brand management
Drake International's recent investment in the Avionté system signifies its commitment to optimizing talent management and enhancing operational efficiency. This aims to streamline processes such as candidate screening, payroll, and client communication, positioning the company for faster, more effective service delivery. As it embraces new technologies, it focuses on enhancing client and candidate experiences, ensuring the company remains competitive and adaptable to evolving HR challenges.
The company's Moncton branch recently won a staffing services agency award for the second consecutive year, recognizing their commitment to excellence. This achievement highlights the company's dedication to delivering outstanding staffing solutions and making a positive impact in the community. Looking ahead, Drake plans to build on this success by enhancing services and expanding reach while maintaining its focus on local expertise.
