DID anyone notice that moment when autumn ended and winter began? asks James Ramsbotham, chief executive of the North East Chamber of Commerce.

It was like someone switched off the heating on October 31 and we all woke up shivering on November 1.

It happened at the end of summer too. One minute it was BBQs and blazing sunshine, the next we were knee deep in leaves and trying to convince kids that conkers is just as much fun as Nintendo DS.

The advent of winter is not just about breaking out the thick coat and de-icer, it is also dinner season – the time when the business community gets together to celebrate achievements in specific sectors, individual success and generally just raise a glass in good company and good cheer.

I had the pleasure to welcome a full house to our Tyne and Northumberland Dinner in Newcastle Civic Centre last week.

The event and last month’s Tees Dinner were both sold out and this gives me great pleasure, not just because we have two rooms filled with the cream of North-East business talent, but I because I believe it is a reflection of the positivity and optimism felt across the private sector as the recovery from recession continues to gather pace across our region.

It was great to hear from a proud Geordie who has climbed to the top of her profession. Anne Cairns, President of International Markets for MasterCard, spoke passionately about her upbringing in Newcastle, her hard-working County Durham parents who helped shape her work ethic and her rise through the ranks of some of the largest finance companies in the world.

A former Newcastle University student, Anne’s passion for the region has not diminished, despite spending all her working life away from the region she still refers to as home.

Bringing Anne back to her North-East roots also had another benefit for the Tyne and Northumberland Dinner. Mastercard is a key sponsor of the Brit Awards and, as such, a sponsor of the Brit School – a free college in Croydon where talented youngsters can develop their artistic skills and hone their talents.

This establishment has produced some of the UK’s largest selling musical artists such as Jessie J, Adele and Ed Sheeran, so it was fantastic to be treated to medley of hits from Jess, Sidney and Elliott – a trio of talented 18 year-olds.

There was a distinct feelgood factor to the whole event and ending it on a musical note seemed a fitting way to close this prestigious dinner.

So while it may have been blowing a wintery Arctic gale outside, inside we were surrounded by the warm glow of great company, fantastic entertainment and, most importantly, genuine optimism for North-East business in 2015.