The Journal. Neom, Pt 2: The Emperor’s New Clothes
213 snips
Apr 26, 2025 
Tony Harris, an education expert, and Andy Wirth, a ski executive, share their firsthand experiences at Neom, Saudi Arabia's ambitious city project. They reveal shocking insights into the project's mismanagement, with a cash-bleeding operation led by a volatile CEO. Discussions highlight the disconnect between Neom's grand visions and grim realities, including runaway spending and environmental concerns. Their reflections on the struggles between development and nature’s beauty raise important questions about future sustainability.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
CEO's Shocking Tantrum at Neom
- Tony Harris recalls the Neom CEO, Nadmi al-Nassar, screaming at hundreds of staff for not working hard enough.
- Tony was shocked, comparing it to a toddler's tantrum, an unprecedented experience despite his global exposure.
Speed Over Effectiveness Metric
- Neom judged projects by how fast they could spend money, not by effectiveness or impact.
- Rapid spending was a key metric, overshadowing project outcomes.
Pressure to Overspend Budgets
- Neom CEO Nodmi demanded sector heads spend their allocated budgets quickly or explain to the founding board.
- Andy Wirth was expected to spend $600-$700 million but only spent a few hundred thousand.