At the helm: Josh Moffat
After a groundbreaking first year, The HELM is setting a new standard in the global events scene. But Co-Founder and CEO Josh Moffat insists this is just the opening act.
For Josh Moffat, Co-Founder and CEO of The HELM, the company’s story has been one of alignment and purpose. What began as three industry experts – Moffat, Dan Fahey and Paul Barrett – recognizing a clear market need, has since become a leading force in the global broadcast and events scene.
"The HELM just naturally fell into place," Moffat tells The CEO Magazine. "Basically, Paul, Dan and I were doing a lot of work together with a very similar client base, but there was overlap. We knew we couldn’t scale or grow as one-man operations.
"So we came together, and it’s proven to be much more powerful than the three of us doing our own thing."
Charting the course
The evolving landscape of content consumption has played a significant role in The HELM’s rapid rise.
"There’s been a pivot to high-quality content," Moffat explains. "Where once corporate events needed just a few photos, they now need videos for socials, marketing and everything else."
This shift, he says, has driven the desire for visually stunning broadcasts that engage viewers in a way traditional formats no longer can.
"Much of the content that is available looks very flat compared to the cinematic look our clients are after," he says.
"Our broadcast pedigree is second to none."
And as the line between film and broadcast continues to blur thanks to technological advancements, Moffat is thrilled to be leading this trend at The HELM, delivering immersive and high-quality experiences for audiences around the world in ways that have been previously impossible.
"Being at this pivotal moment is really exciting," he enthuses. "We’re quite lucky to be positioned at the forefront of this trend. Every conversation we have, another light bulb moment is sparked and we find another way to use this technology."
Powerful partnerships
The technology Moffat references is at The HELM’s fingertips, thanks to strategic partnerships with industry heavyweights. The company recently teamed up with VA Hire, a well-established cinematic rental house, to combine broadcast expertise with top-tier cinematic tools.
"Our broadcast pedigree is second to none, with our experience and the level of projects we work on. VA Hire is the same for cinema. So partnering with them means our clients get the best of both worlds. It’s a pretty compelling offering," Moffat says.
"Our clients know that whenever they ring us, they can count on us to get the outcome they need."
Another standout collaboration has been with ARRI, a leader in cinematic capture technology. Moffat’s team worked closely with ARRI, helping to develop and integrate new equipment to cater to both cinematic and broadcast needs.
"In a broadcast workflow, everything is very fast-paced. And that’s what’s so amazing about this new ARRI offering," he reveals.
"The new live camera brings the live control we’re used to in a broadcast or live event workflow while allowing us to tweak settings on the fly instantly with the quality of cinematic capture. On a cinematic camera, that’s never been possible before. Once people see it, they don’t want to go back. They’re often like, ‘Where has this been my whole life?’"
Collaboration is key
Moffat is quick to add that The HELM’s success wouldn’t be possible without its customers. His emphasis on trust and reliability has allowed the company to build a loyal client base.
"Our business is based around long-term relationships. We are not a short-term transactional business," he says. "Many of our key clients are people we’ve worked with for 10-plus years."
This focus on enduring partnerships has solidified The HELM’s reputation as a problem-solver in the industry – clients can rely on them when the stakes are high.
"We’re the people our clients turn to when someone else tells them their idea isn’t going to work," Moffat points out.
"It’s about finding solutions and looking through a different lens. Our clients know that whenever they ring us, they can count on us to get the outcome they need."
"I started doing this when I was a teenager. It’s basically been my life’s work – it’s second nature to me."
Sometimes, that might require a degree of compromise on the client’s part, but in the end, Moffat says it always works out and deadlines are met.
"Our clients must be understanding in that, sometimes we might have to take a different path than what they initially envisioned," he explains. "But ultimately, we get to that point where the deadline is met, which is critical in this industry."
Leading by example
When it comes to leadership, Moffat says he’s a hands-on leader who isn’t afraid to jump into the trenches alongside his team.
"One day I’m in the office making heavy-hitting decisions, and the next I could be on the job because someone called out sick," he says. "I won’t ask anyone to do something that I’m not willing to do myself."
His focus on empowering his team to solve problems independently has been a cornerstone of The HELM’s success. By fostering an environment where creativity and initiative are encouraged, Moffat has seen team members grow from industry newcomers to experts capable of running major projects.
"It’s about giving people the right tools and letting them work things out themselves, allowing them to grow," he says.
It’s something Moffat knows firsthand because it’s how he learned.
"My father was in this industry. So I started doing this when I was a teenager. It’s basically been my life’s work – it’s second nature to me," he says.
More than a career, Moffat’s journey has been a legacy in motion, and he can’t wait to see what’s next.
"We’re pioneering this new cinematic workflow space, and we’re really excited to be collaborating with VA Hire and ARRI to see what the future holds," he says with a smile. "It’s a privilege to grow our business and this sector together."