IT WAS a tremendous honour for me to host a night of champions as the annual Tyne and Northumberland Dinner was held at Newcastle Civic Centre.

It was a celebration of all things good in business in the North of our region with excellent speakers in Dame Kelly Holmes and HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) chairman, Mike Clasper CBE.

It was fitting that we had speakers who reached the pinnacle of their respective careers.

True champions in their fields who used hard work, determination and skill to fight their way to the top.

It is these qualities that we in the North East must exhibit if we are to kick-start economic growth and develop further our innovative and diverse business base.

The private sector has been given the mandate by Government to help set the economic agenda in partnership with the public sector organisations.

Local Enterprise Partnerships will have a major say on shaping regional priorities and policy.

As businesses we have the opportunity to address the issues that have stifled regional growth – whether that be our transport infrastructure, tax issues or access to finance.

It is through links between public and private sector, the relationships forged between business organisations and partnerships established within the business community itself that we can elicit real change.

A prime example of this is the private sector coming together to create Energi Coast – the North East England renewables group – and grab a slice of the lucrative £1bn global market.

It is being spearheaded by NOF Energy and the project includes 19 companies, which have a combined £200m turnover in offshore wind interests.

If we are to prosper and ensure the North East remains a great place to live, work and do business then it's up to us to get on with it.

We're no strangers to hard work.

:: John Mowbray, president of the North East Chamber of Commerce.