WHERE TO FROM THE TOP?

AS CEOS APPROACH RETIREMENT AGE AND THE TIME COMES TO TRANSITION OUT OF THE ROLE, WHAT EXACTLY DOES THIS NEXT CHAPTER OF LIFE LOOK LIKE?

- FINBARR TOESLAND

Reaching the CEO position can take decades and is widely considered as being the pinnacle of a businessperson’s career. So, when it comes time to step away from this top role, deciding on and planning your next moves can be quite bewildering.

Such a drastic change requires a great deal of preparation and consideration on the part of the individual, as each business leader will have their own specific vision of their life after guiding a major organisation.

“The CEO should be planning for retirement or transition to the new phase of their career well in advance of retirement. It is to the CEO’s advantage to leave on a high when things are going well and their currency and brand is at its highest as opposed to when things are on a downward trend with the appearance of a ‘forced’ exit,” explains Helen Pitcher OBE, Chairman of Advanced Boardroom Excellence, a board evaluation and effectiveness consultancy.