LUNCH with friends is always a pleasant experience, particularly if there is something to celebrate, writes James Ramsbotham, North East Chamber of Commerce chief executive.

That was certainly the case when I was fortunate enough to spend a couple of hours getting to know some of our region’s brightest talents from a range of different sectors, at Bistro 21, in Durham, last week.

Now, the food is always good there, but on this occasion it was the company that left me more than satisfied.

In fact, it left me charged with positivity.

The guest list comprised representatives from the five companies that will be flying the flag for our region at the upcoming British Chambers of Commerce Awards, which take place in London at the end of November.

Kitchen maker Nobia; A-Belco which makes emergency lighting among other products; The Bazaar Group, which designs, develops and fabricates bean bag and soft furnishings; coffin makers JC Atkinson; and housing specialists Derwentside Homes make up the impressive delegation hoping to win big at the awards.

It is always a delight to meet up with our standard bearers before we head off to London with them.

These companies, all valued members of the North East Chamber of Commerce, are leaders in their field and passionate about regional business.

Not only was there a sense of optimism about the awards themselves, there was a real feeling that our region is coming back strongly and all agreed that doing business in the North-East was far easier than elsewhere in the country.

However, there were a number of themes that developed over the course of the conversation, the main one being skills.

It was interesting to hear how some of the firms were finding it increasingly difficult to replace skills being lost due to retirement; with some saying they even had machining staff working way beyond retirement age to fill gaps.

Suggestions that schools and business must continue their excellent recent work in forging mutually beneficial relationships to ensure that students are work-ready and prepared for the vacancies in the regional jobs market were welcomed, but more must be done.

We have a small number of businesses who dedicate a great deal of time and resource in engaging with their local schools.

Labman and Esh Group are just two examples.

But we must have more.

If we are to produce the future workforce and the next generation of award winners, it is vital we establish and maintain these invaluable links between the worlds of education and business.