Dr. Mike - regardless of all the rumors floating around I believe that he did.
One important thing CH did - he changed some of market attitude toward NEOM. That in it's self was a very difficult task for any CEO, and reflects favorably on CH.
I know of no one before him that could have done that, as it takes persistence and determination to change the attitude of others and you have to have a lot of space to turn a ship (a sinking ship at that), 180 degrees! I believe he set out to do that immediately upon accepting the CEO position.