Early Life
Jay Stewart Hennick was born on January 20, 1957, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. His entrepreneurial spirit emerged early; at age 15, he worked as a summer lifeguard. In 1972, at the age of 17, Hennick founded Superior Pools with a $1,000 loan from his father. The company provided commercial swimming pool staffing and management services, growing to employ hundreds of students.
Rise to Success
Hennick pursued higher education, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from York University in 1978 and a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Ottawa in 1981. After graduating, he worked as a corporate and securities lawyer for 13 years, gaining valuable experience. In 1989, Hennick acquired the College Pro Painters franchise system and combined it with his pool staffing company to form FirstService Corporation. FirstService went public on the Toronto Stock Exchange in 1993 and was subsequently listed on NASDAQ in 1995. Hennick left his law practice in 1996 to focus on FirstService.
Key Business Strategies
Hennick's success is attributed to his strategic vision and ability to identify and capitalize on opportunities. He grew FirstService into a leading provider of property services through acquisitions and organic growth. A key strategy was the 2010 merger of FirstService with Colliers International. In 2015, FirstService separated into two independent public companies: FirstService and Colliers International. He is the Global Chairman and CEO and controlling shareholder of Colliers and the Founder, Chairman, and largest shareholder of FirstService.
Philanthropy
Jay Hennick and his wife, Barbara, established The Jay and Barbara Hennick Family Foundation in 2008. The foundation supports education, healthcare, and the arts. Major donations include a $36 million donation to Sinai Health, leading to the renaming of Hennick Bridgepoint Hospital, and a $50 million donation to the Royal Ontario Museum.
