Neil Carney to leave Birmingham City Council
Neil Carney, Birmingham City Council’s Programme Director for the Birmingham 2022 has announced he is to leave the organisation in order to spend more time with his children.
As the most senior officer dedicated to the council’s role in delivering the Commonwealth Games, under Neil's leadership, the council has secured planning permission for the Commonwealth Games Village and broken ground on the construction element of that scheme – completing work that would normally take three years in just one.
Work to demolish the Alexander Stadium has also begun, with a planning application submitted for the council-led £72million revamp of the venue in order for it to become the home of the athletics events and the Opening and Closing Ceremonies in the summer of 2022 before becoming a hub for elite sport and grassroots community and leisure activity within a regenerated Perry Barr.
Neil has also worked closely with the other Games Partner organisations to ensure the council’s work, most notably on capital projects, has been integrated with the activity of others as everyone ramps up preparations for the event – the largest to ever be staged in Birmingham.
Neil said: “I was honoured to take on the role of Programme Director and it has been an absolute pleasure to work with dedicated and passionate colleagues during my time at the city council.
“However, 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.
“The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games will be a fantastic celebration of everything that is good about the city – and I will definitely be watching from afar as the planning phases turns into delivery and the magnificent legacy the Games will bring for Birmingham.”
The search for a replacement for Neil is now underway and updates will be provided when available.
Clive Heaphy, Acting Chief Executive of Birmingham City Council, said: “I am sorry to see Neil go. He 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.
“I wish him and his children well in their future endeavours, as he still has much to offer in the sport and events world.”
