The company works at the intersection of engineering and creative industries, developing unique exoskeleton and gimbal systems that allow filmmakers to create new types of moving image footage, as seen on the Academy Award-winning film, The Favourite, and the BBC’s Wolf Hall and Luther.
What is Mr Helix and what problem is it tackling?
Mr Helix is committed to building a better world through technical innovation and storytelling that creates tangible social impact. The organisation helps to unite global communities involved in the technical innovation, research and development of emerging technologies, such as gimbals, drones, and exoskeletons. We are currently testing AI solutions to help bring the vision of directors and cinematographers to life.
In addition to equipment rental and specialised social impact film production, we use our income to support the R&D of new innovations and emerging technologies projects within the industry, establishing partnerships, technical testing, and upskilling industry professionals, alongside academic engagement and supporting talent from under-represented, marginalised, and faith-based communities.
The Regional Talent Engine programme gave me time, space, and confidence to grow.
What inspired you to start Mr Helix?
My journey into the world of film and innovation is a mix of spiritual drive and a desire to make a positive impact in society. Growing up around the mechanics and auto electrical work of our family business gave me a technical foundation for my approach to engineering and practical learning.
After witnessing the breakdown of relations between communities post-9/11, I picked up a camera to improve relations between Muslim and non-Muslim people, using storytelling and emerging tech to connect people. My obsession with gimbals, drones, and exoskeletons led to successful development of a customised gimbal and exoskeleton solutions, used on HETV drama and films, including the Academy Award-winning film, The Favourite. After the UK terror attacks, I shifted focus from solving on-set challenges to tackling societal ones through social impact films.
What stage were you at when you joined the Regional Talent Engines programme?
The functioning prototypes had demonstrated their potential through successful field testing on HETV dramas and films however, our solutions required further R&D, design improvements, supply chain management, and exploring the development of products for the consumer market.
Why did you apply to the Regional Talent Engines programme, and what were you hoping to get out of it?
Facing complex challenges – particularly in establishing UK-based technical innovation and R&D assembly, building, and ultimately achieving investor readiness.
What was your experience like on the Regional Talent Engines programme?
The Regional Talent Engine programme gave me time, space, and confidence to grow. It helped me reflect on our team dynamics, business structure, and perhaps even more importantly, on my own personal traits and leadership skills. A standout moment was the Emergenetics workshop. This session provided a powerful framework for understanding my behavioural tendencies, working style, and inherent strengths. It revealed traits I needed to be more conscious of when building teams and self-managing. The programme also connected me with other founders, helping build a needed sense of community.
How did the funding and support impact your journey?
As a technical innovator, business owner, and father, it can be difficult to take a step back and evaluate your surroundings. The programme provided the structure to develop a more strategic vision for the business. It helped me see that we were developing not just technology, but an ecosystem of social enterprise that supports the advancement of technologies and helps those who may never have had the opportunity to access our industry or see the connection between the creative industries and the engineering sector.
The Hub at Prince Phillips House has been an amazing resource, allowing us to connect with other members and hold workshops to build our training programmes via Futures in Film CIC and Screen Sisters.
What’s changed for you and Mr Helix since completing the Regional Talent Engines?
I’ve been continuing to validate Mr Helix technologies in high-pressure environments, while evolving the business into a social enterprise and testing our strategic plan with our industry partners and public sector in Blackburn with Darwen.
The latest iteration MVP of our gimbal and exoskeleton technologies has been deployed on productions, like the second series of the BBC’s Wolf Hall, and Curfew from Paramount+.
I'm documenting our technology’s impact, reporting its value and the ecosystem it supports through Futures in Film CIC's commitment to technical innovation, R&D, and technical training for talent from marginalised communities.
Regional Talent Engines helped me think more strategically, and to understand what type of investor we should be looking for, to ensure that our investment partners align with our ethics, commitments, and principles.
How has the Regional Talent Engines helped you move your idea forward?
It helped me step back to assess the business model, form better teams, and to create a strategic plan that will help us to secure the partnerships and investment. Workshops, mentorship, and peer engagement helped clarify how to position our business and prepare for growth. We’ve expanded collaborations to include universities where we’re exploring CPD-accredited training and supporting work placements to help provide industry experience, which can be extremely difficult to access.
Regional Talent Engines helped me think more strategically, and to understand what type of investor we should be looking for, to ensure that our investment partners align with our ethics, commitments, and principles.
The programme also connected me with other founders, helping build a needed sense of community.
What would you say to someone considering applying to Regional Talent Engines but feeling unsure or ‘not ready’?
Take that initial step. Even if you don’t get in, the application and interview process will still help you understand where you may need to improve and provide clarity.
When I applied, I certainly didn’t feel entirely ‘ready’. I had a working prototype, a compelling idea, and significant practical experience, but I lacked a polished pitch, a formal business plan, and experience with investor readiness. What I did have was a sincere commitment to develop technical solutions, a purposeful vision to help humanity, and willingness to learn and keep growing.
Reach out to mentors, speak to past participants, and attend info sessions. That first step could shift your perspective on what you may not realise is needed and what could be possible for the future ahead.
What’s next for you and Mr Helix?
I’m exploring emerging technologies like AI and machine learning, with exciting tests underway. I’ll continue developing Mr Helix, Pixeleyed Pictures, Futures in Film CIC, and Screen Sisters CIC, to build an ecosystem that unites partners and investors to create a better world through technical innovation.
Quick fire
- Who is your role model? Prophet Noah, who built the Ark. He was one of greatest engineers of all time, amid ridicule and disbelief – something all engineers must persevere through.
- What’s your guilty pleasure? Chocolate. I have a sweet tooth that I’m trying to gain control over.
- When I was a child, I wanted to be… A Royal Air Force pilot.
- I am currently binging… Tetris. Clearing full stacks helps me clear my mind.
- Best piece of advice you’ve ever received? If you don’t ask, you don’t get!
- Conversely, what has been the worst piece of advice? The academic route and a degree being the only way to succeed in life
- If you were an investor, which Hub Member would you invest in? Roaa Abdelmagid, who is carrying out exciting research in the field of computer science and Artificial Intelligence.
- Is there something you know now that you wish someone had told you when you started? Being informed about ADHD, and neurodiversity; how to live with it, channel it, and overcome some of its challenges in my personal and professional life.
- If you had to start all over again, would you do anything differently? Get the product to market and commercialise earlier.
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