It has been quite a month for Deborah Cadman. July started with the announcement that the interim chief executive of Birmingham City Council has, after a year in post, now been made permanent. And as the month draws to a close, the city will see the opening of the Commonwealth Games.

Birmingham is a riot of colour. Gone are the hoardings that have hidden the city centre's preparations for what feels like an eternity. They have been peeled away to reveal a reinvigorated city – adorned with bright banners and bunting to welcome the world to the Games.