One statistic stopped me in my tracks this year. More than a third of people in our country now believe the nation is more divided than at any point in their lifetime.
That figure is not just sobering. It is painful because you can feel its truth every day. You see it in strained communities, in polarised debates, and in the growing sense of frustration that sits beneath the surface of so many conversations. It has been a year when the pressure has felt relentless for families, young people, businesses, and communities alike.
Yet when I look back on this year, what stands out most is not the division. It is the quiet resilience, the everyday determination, and the moments of humanity that kept showing up when they were needed most.
For me, this year has been full of reminders that progress does not happen in a straight line. There have been days when the weight of responsibility has felt heavy, days when the pace of change was exhausting, and days when the challenges facing our communities felt almost overwhelming. Whether it was supporting people who were struggling, seeing the strain on small businesses, or navigating yet another wave of uncertainty, I found myself repeatedly reminded that leadership is not about avoiding discomfort. It is about stepping into it.
But I have also seen so many moments that lifted me. Conversations with young people who refuse to be defined by circumstance. Parents who juggle everything yet still find time to help others. Community champions who ask for nothing but give a great deal. Individuals who face prejudice, inequality, or doubt yet continue to stand tall. Every single one of those moments has reinforced my belief that the North East remains one of the most extraordinary places in the country. Not because it is perfect, but because its people know how to keep going.
This year also reminded me that connection is not a luxury. It is oxygen. Whether I was in schools, boardrooms, community halls, or walking the streets of my home city, I kept seeing how much people crave a sense of belonging and purpose. We all want to feel valued. We all want to contribute. We all want to know that tomorrow can be better than today. Those shared hopes matter more than any difference that threatens to pull us apart.
So, as we move toward the end of the year, I find myself coming back to that first shocking fact. The nation may feel more divided than ever, but it is in the places that feel overlooked and underestimated where I see the greatest reservoirs of strength. If this year has taught me anything, it is that unity is not created by chance. It is built through countless small acts of empathy, courage, and generosity.
As the festive season begins, I hope each of us finds moments of calm and joy. I hope we rest, reconnect, and remind ourselves of what truly matters. And I hope the coming year brings renewed hope, renewed energy, and renewed purpose for all.
Wishing you a joyful Christmas and a happy new year filled with peace, kindness, and possibility.
Ammar Mirza CBE is Chair & Founder of Asian Business Connexions, Executive Chair of the AmmarM Group, Honorary Colonel of 101 Regiment RA and holds various positions across the public and private sectors with a deep interest in Inclusion, Innovation and Internationalisation.