Birmingham City Council’s programme director for Birmingham 2022, Neil Carney, has announced he is to leave the organisation to spend more time with his children.

Acting council chief executive, Clive Heaphy, said: ‘Neil brought a wealth of experience from previous sporting events, and was a calm and reassuring influence at all times.

‘His contribution to laying the foundations for a great Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games cannot be underestimated.’

Mr Carney said: ‘My children are still based in Ireland, and it has become increasingly difficult to balance work and time with my children. I thought it would be possible but, unfortunately, that is not the case.’