A leaving speech, much like a wedding speech, fills many people with dread.  Your colleagues turn up expecting to hear few poignant words, to be entertained with some funny stories and if there is enough in the company budget,  maybe enjoy a nice slice of cake!

I have left two jobs over the last ten years and both companies had a tradition of people giving leaving speeches.

My first leaving speech was seven years ago. Shakespeare said that “Brevity is the soul of wit”.  Well he would have found me very witty as I was very brief.