The appointment follows reports that Neom's managing director of media industries had made racist and misogynistic comments and engaged in inappropriate workplace behavior, as first reported on September 11.

Lynch, who previously held chief executive roles at the Sydney Opera House, London's Southbank Centre, and Hong Kong's West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, joined Neom in late 2023 as the sector head of entertainment and culture—a position he will continue to hold.

When asked if Borg was still employed by the organization and if Neom was actively seeking a permanent replacement, a spokesperson said, 'We will not be providing any further comment or statement on this matter.

' However, the executive has been removed from the leadership page on its website, and the Neom spokesperson stated that the organization has a 'zero-tolerance approach to discrimination and harassment in all forms.

' Lynch will take on the media role with immediate effect, in addition to his existing responsibilities as Neom's sector head of entertainment and culture, a role he assumed in late 2023.

'At Neom, we take allegations of this nature very seriously,' said a statement issued to the press.

'We are committed to upholding our Code of Conduct, which sets clear standards for the actions and behaviors of every employee.

We do not tolerate breaches of our Code of Conduct and have adopted a zero-tolerance approach to discrimination and harassment in all forms.

We are dedicated to continuing to build a strong and positive culture and an inclusive, respectful, and ethical workplace for all.

The very serious allegations that have appeared in the press regarding Neom Senior Executives do not reflect the behavior of our 5,000 employees.

The safety and welfare of our workforce are our top priorities, and our Worker Welfare team has strong policies to ensure everyone is treated with dignity, care, and respect.

Neom has a strong governance framework, supported by a strict Code of Conduct and multiple channels, including our anonymous Speak Up portal, where employees can raise concerns.

Every concern is handled with the utmost scrutiny and integrity, and we take appropriate actions to address any misconduct.

'Over the past three years, Neom has attracted 38 local and international productions to its studios and facilities, ranging from Rupert Wyatt's $150 million epic starring Anthony Mackie to Rajkumar Hirani's Bollywood blockbuster starring Shah Rukh Khan, as well as the region's biggest-ever TV drama series.

Part of the $500 billion megacity under construction in northwest Saudi Arabia, Neom is looking to attract more major productions as part of its growth plans and is set to host the filming of a historical drama from director Simon West, a thriller by Terry George, an as-yet undisclosed Bollywood feature, and several local productions, including a 200-episode series.

For now, these projects will be overseen by Lynch, an Australian with a long career in the arts and culture.

He was the general manager of the Sydney Theatre Company from 1989-94 and the general manager of the Australia Council, the federal government's arts funding and advisory body, from 1994-98 before being appointed chief executive of the Sydney Opera House from 1998 to 2002.

He relocated to the UK to take up the chief executive position at London's Southbank Centre, where he undertook significant organizational change and developed a new artistic policy and cultural program from 2002 to 2009.

Lynch returned to Australia in June 2009 after being appointed a director of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, stepping down from the board of the broadcaster after two years.

He was also on the board of Film Victoria.

In July 2011, Lynch was named CEO of Hong Kong's West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, established to develop the city as an international arts and cultural metropolis, and remained in the position until early 2015.

He resurfaced in 2022 to join the board of Opera Australia, stepping down a year later to join Neom.

Projects from the producers of 'Plan 75' and 'Tiger Stripes' are among the selection, as well as Cannes Palme d'Or winner Apichatpong Weerasethakul.

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