Early Life
Jay Stewart Hennick was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on January 20, 1957. Growing up in the working-class neighborhood of Bathurst Manor, he learned the value of hard work and education from his parents. His entrepreneurial spirit emerged early; at 15, he began his first venture, Superior Pools, a swimming pool management business, with a $1,000 loan from his father.
Rise to Success
Hennick's career path included a 13-year stint as a corporate and securities lawyer after earning degrees from York University (B.A.) and the University of Ottawa (LL.B.). He transitioned to business leadership, founding FirstService Corporation in 1989. The company went public on the Toronto Stock Exchange in 1993. In 2010, FirstService acquired Colliers International, and in 2015, he orchestrated the spin-off of Colliers as a separate public company. Hennick is recognized for his entrepreneurial drive, having received accolades such as Canada's Entrepreneur of the Year in 1998 and CEO of the Year by Canadian Business Magazine in 2001.
Key Business Strategies
Hennick's success is rooted in a partnership model, with management teams having strong equity-aligned compensation and decentralized decision-making. His approach includes a focus on building and acquiring companies in the real estate and property services sectors. He has been known to capitalize on market opportunities and has a track record of creating significant shareholder value.
Philanthropy
Jay and his wife, Barbara, established The Jay and Barbara Hennick Family Foundation in 2008 to support education, healthcare, and the arts. The foundation has made substantial donations, including contributions to York University and the University of Ottawa, as well as the Hennick Family Wellness Centre at Mount Sinai Hospital.