Wow. Another year passes.

It's hard to believe that I am once again sitting down to sum up the year, and to look ahead to 2017, which is set to be a time in which decisions made in 2016 begin to take effect.

Last year was, I think, one of the most surreal in memory.

From the sad passing of a great number of household names, to the decision to leave the EU - which will see the demise of a decades-old partnership with our European counterparts - I don't think anyone could have predicted what 2016 would hold.

And so, I will steer clear from playing clairvoyant, and instead share some of the hopes I have for the New Year.

I hope 2017 will be a year in which the world works together.

Last year, division seemed to come to the fore.

This year, my hope is that we can work through the decisions we have made in a way that unites everyone.

Over the coming weeks and months, we, as business leaders, will start to gain some clarity about the terms of the country’s exit from Europe, and I believe this will allow us to start to move forward positively.

The impact of Brexit on manufacturers is likely to be significant, with export at the heart of our business, so it is vital we can begin to understand the likely trade terms that lie ahead.

My hope for 2017 is that the Government has a clear route map to work to, to ensure we get the best possible deal.

This is a huge weight of responsibility for Theresa May and her team, but it is incumbent on her to make sure we leave Europe in a position that causes the least possible disruption for business.

I also hope that 2017 will bring stability.

Businesses need to feel confident – this is what allows them to invest.

It is what allows owners to make spending decisions that sustain jobs.

It is what powers economic growth.

The last year has seen some of the most uncertain times since the recession.

It has hit businesses hard, including Nifco.

While this will be a year of big decisions – a year of negotiation for Government – and while we will no doubt face a rocky ride, it is important the direction of travel is right.

The destination has be to a place of stability, a place in which businesses can have a degree of certainty about the future in what, it seems, are the most unpredictable of times.