When handing over the reins of the company to others, it is a good time to give recognition to those individuals that have helped to build the business through hard work and personal sacrifice. News of the big boss retiring has already filtered through the buildings and everyone is wondering what brought this eventful moment about. Giving a farewell speech addresses both the thanks due to diligent employees and the why of your retirement. Here is a sample speech you can modify for your own use.

Hello Everyone,

As many of you know, today is my last day here at the company. I will be walking a different path and will ultimately throw my energy into something that comes my way, though I have nothing planned at this point in time. That is a long range goal and right now, I am focusing on my short term goal of enjoying my retirement.

I will be focusing on many things that I have not been able to focus on due to my job responsibilities such as family outings and a renovation project in my home, providing the wife does not kick me out to the shed. My wife is wonderful, she has through all these many years, supported me as I built my career. Now it is my chance to support her in her own business. I am very proud of my wife and am eager to do the home renovations she has waited for these many long years.

My decision to leave the company has been entirely of my own making. The time is simply right for me to, at least temporarily, relax and enjoy the fruit of my efforts. I have had the most wonderful opportunity in the world and that is to build a company from the ground up with the help of many, many people and organizations throughout the years.

To all the wonderful, dedicated people whom I have had the opportunity to build this company with- Thank You. The times we had the opportunity to share, forge lifetime friendships and the incredible successes along the way have been an extraordinary part of my life. These are the times I will never forget. The company is stronger and more competitive due to the hard work and sacrifices that have been made by my dedicated and passionate employees. There are not enough ways to say thank you to show the gratitude that is felt.

As with all good things, every book has an opening chapter and a page that says, ‘the end’. I am at the end of this career and the timing to end this chapter seems about as right as it could be. I have devoted 35 years to this company and it has taken on a life of its own. I am very proud of all the accomplishments we have made in the industry, the integrity we have built and the quality of the product we continue to produce.

I wish all of you every success for the future. Stay safe, keep up the good work and maintain the passion!