– What we do

We work with public and private sector organisations across Africa & the Middle East to unlock sustainable economic growth.

Helm Growth Advisors is a boutique management advisory firm supporting organisations to unlock growth through strategic clarity, stakeholder alignment, and hands-on execution support.

We work across both public and private sectors, bringing specialist expertise, local context, and delivery discipline to complex growth and development challenges.

Helm serves two key client groups:

1. Government and public sector institutions, primarily in the areas of:
– Air Service Development
– Investment Promotion
– MICE and Tourism Promotion

2. Private sector Organisations, primarily through:
– Public Affairs and stakeholder advisory

Helm is differentiated by its emphasis on execution and results. Success is measured not by reports produced, but by real-world outcomes. Examples include new air routes secured, increased investor engagement, improved regulatory alignment, and accelerated development initiatives.

Our mission

Helm Growth Advisors exists to help public- and private-sector organisations build capability to deliver economic growth – with a focus on delivery, credibility and long-term development impact.

– Helm’s in-house expertise represents decades of experience in public and private sector economic development:

Core team

Tim Harris

Chief Executive Officer

Tim is an economic development expert with two decades of experience in policy, governance and economic competitiveness.

James Milne

Partner – Investment Practice Lead

James has more than 15 years’ experience in economic development specialising in investment promotion, sector development and aviation.

Danyaal Samuels

Partner – Aviation Practice Lead

Danyaal is a route development expert with more than 8 years’ experience. He has a specialisation in air service development and investment promotion. 

Wilanda Swartz

Office Manager

Wilanda is a skilled Office Administrator with more than a decade of experience supporting executive and senior management level.

Kaylynn Abrahams

Data Analyst &Market Researcher

Kaylynn is a market researcher and data analyst with experience in managing and maintaining robust economic datasets and developing  research within Southern Africa.

Deerah Pillay-Lungoomiah

Director

Deerah is a public affairs specialist and attorney leveraging over a decade of experience across Africa and the Middle East to manage high-stakes advocacy and deliver impact in highly regulated sectors.