Celebrating Women in Yachting: Joyce van den Helm Creative Force behind Heesen’s yacht Interiors

This month, Heesen honours International Women’s Day with portraits of inspiring Dutch women in yachting. Joyce van den Helm works as Project Leader in the Interior Design department at Heesen Yachts — a role that perfectly blends creativity, coordination, and craftsmanship. With a background in high-end design and a passion for bringing people together, Joyce plays a key role in turning bold visions into beautifully crafted yacht interiors.

Joyce grew up in a small village along the River Maas, near Oss — where Heesen was, and still is, a household name. Boats didn’t immediately capture her interest, but interior design certainly did. And yacht interiors represent the pinnacle of design, combining precision, luxury, and creativity. But how do you break into the Premier League of interior design? “My father knew the then-director of Heesen, who lived in our village, and suggested I speak with Omega Architects.” Frank Laupman of Omega has been one of Heesen’s long-time design partners. During her internship from the Jan des Bouvrie Academy, Joyce gained invaluable experience and developed into an all-rounded designer.

From Studio to Shipyard

Joyce continued her career as a Stylist at Sinot, a studio that also designed several yacht interiors for Heesen. “There, I wasn’t so much focused on technical drawings, but more on colours and materials — creating mood boards. What goes on the walls, the ceilings, the finishes. What furniture do we choose?”

Alongside her work in yacht building, Joyce also ran her own interior design business, taking on projects for private homes, corporate offices, and even the sponsor lounge at the Frans Heesen Stadium.

Eventually, the volume of work forced her to make a choice. “I became a mother, and I realised how challenging it was to juggle everything. And then, just at the right moment, I got a call from the recruitment agency where I was still registered — they were looking for a part-time Project Leader in Interior Design at Heesen. Roles like that are incredibly rare. It was perfect timing!”

Connecting the Dots

“The title sometimes raises a few questions, because at Heesen we don’t actually design the interiors ourselves — that work is done by external designers and architects,” Joyce explains. “Together with Perry van Hirtum, I oversee the interior design of our yachts. We act as the link between the shipyard, the client, and the architect. That means we evaluate the design based on both the yard’s technical requirements and the owner’s wishes. We ensure all deadlines are met and the right information is passed on to the various departments. We’re involved in the entire design phase of the yacht.”

The Heart of the Job

What does Joyce love most about her work? “That you guide the entire project from concept to completion. That’s something truly unique about Heesen — everything is under one roof. Watching an interior come to life from the very first sketch on board, and being part of the entire journey with all its highs and lows, is incredibly rewarding. It really is a shared voyage — with the client and with everyone involved at the shipyard.

“Bringing people together on site to come up with creative solutions gives me a huge sense of satisfaction. Maybe, as a woman, I naturally have a bit more of an affinity for being that connecting force. Personally, I enjoy working in a male-dominated culture. Along with some of my female colleagues, I find that we bring valuable perspectives—often approaching issues from a different angle. There’s mutual respect, which creates a productive dynamic and ultimately leads to better results.”

People Skills and Perspective

Joyce explains that her role requires a great deal of people skills and diplomacy. “You have to be able to approach a project from both the shipyard’s perspective and the client’s. That means knowing exactly when to take on which role. Because I’ve worked as a designer myself, I have a good understanding of the architect’s responsibilities and capabilities. That really helps when drawing up schedules — you know from experience how long it should take to adjust a design, for instance.”

Joyce continues: “What I really love about my job is that Heesen builds its interiors in-house. As a shipyard, there’s a tendency to say we can make anything — but part of our role is to manage expectations. We need to assess, at each stage of the build, what’s realistically possible. Technically, creatively, and organisationally — what can we still do to meet the client’s wishes? That’s what makes my work especially rewarding.”

Custom or semi-custom?

“I really enjoy both,” says Joyce. “Custom builds are special because the client is involved right from the start. But with semi-custom projects, we’ve recently taken on the exciting challenge of creating completely different looks and styles — all based on the same interior layout — simply by playing with materials, colours and furniture choices. We applied that approach on the 55-metre Steel, in collaboration with Luca Dini and designer Silvia Margutti. Working with her and the team was a real pleasure.”

“When a design process runs smoothly and stays within deadlines, that gives me real fulfillment. But even more so, when we deliver a yacht that — thanks in part to our input — perfectly matches the client’s vision. That’s what it’s all about!”

Challenging but Rewarding

To Joyce, there’s nothing like working in the superyacht industry. “It’s an incredibly exclusive world. Every project is one of a kind. You work with the very best materials, and clients constantly challenge you to explore the latest techniques and innovations. Sometimes it’s about setting new trends, and other times it’s about achieving something beautifully timeless. So much is possible — even though you’re working within the many constraints that come with life on board.”

Joyce says people are often enthusiastic and curious when she tells them what she does. “Heesen is a well-known name in this region — and far beyond. Superyachts really capture the imagination. For many, it’s a dream world, something completely out of reach. The owners, the huge amounts of money involved… of course I get a lot of questions. But I also have to be discreet — that’s part of the job.”

Memorable Moments

Although Joyce has only been in her current role for three and a half years, her journey has already been full of memorable moments. “Yes, I’ve been lucky to experience some really special things — like beautiful launch ceremonies of incredible yachts. I’ve visited several fairs and boat shows. I even spent a night on a Heesen yacht for work, and I’ve been to clients’ homes to give presentations. Those are truly unique experiences.”

Is there a project she’s especially proud of? “Sibelle—a full custom yacht I worked on about ten years ago, when I was still at Omega, collaborating closely with the client’s designer. It had a very contemporary interior that was really something special. I even visited the owner’s home to select materials — that was a standout moment.”

Word of Advice

And her advice for others? “I’d say: just go for it! Discover what you’re good at — or what you’d like to become. I don’t believe in typically male or female roles. A job should suit you as a person. Whether you’re a captain, a designer, or a shipyard carpenter — and yes, we have women in those roles too. At Heesen, the number of women has risen significantly in recent years, which is a fantastic development!”