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The property and regeneration chief at Birmingham City Council who has led the dramatic transformation of the city's skyline is stepping down from the role.

Waheed Nazir, who has worked alongside developers to bring about major schemes such as Arena Central and Paradise, will leave his post as director of inclusive growth later this year.

It is not yet known what his next move will be.

Mr Nazir's departure follows the recent announcement that chief executive Dawn Baxendale will leave her role later this month for a new job in New Zealand.

Their looming departures leave the city council searching for two pivotal leadership roles at a crucial time for Birmingham as it prepares to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games, the ongoing furore over HS2 and the plans to regenerate the former wholesale markets site.

Mr Nazir has spent 15 years performing various roles with Europe's largest local authority including director of planning and regeneration and chief planning officer and he has held a portfolio responsible for highways, economic development and housing among others.

During his tenure, he has helped to turn the city's housing development company Birmingham Municipal Housing Trust into the largest public sector house builder in the country.

He said: "It was a dream come true, as a local boy from the eastern part of Birmingham, to have an opportunity to shape the city I was born in and set its direction for future generations.