CREATIVE & COMMERCIAL ADVISOR
About Adam
Experience. Curiosity. Perspective.
Experience & Perspective
The clearest way forward often begins by seeing what is already there.
I’m Adam Kossowski, a Creative & Commercial Advisor based in Cape Town, working internationally. I help businesses, places and organisations explain their value, develop opportunities and build productive relationships.
My work spans creative strategy and storytelling, business development and partnerships, and commercial representation and liaison. Some assignments begin with a question about positioning or communication; others involve exploring an opportunity, finding potential partners or maintaining discussions on a client’s behalf.
I bring 19 years of CEO experience, earlier consultancy and commercial representation, and a longstanding practice in photography and writing. I begin by listening and understanding the situation, then agree where my involvement would be most useful—from a focused piece of advice to ongoing support.
I try to look at the world with patience.
From Strategy to Practice
During 19 years as CEO of Way With Words, I led the international language-services business through its move towards online services and contracting, expansion from London into worldwide markets, and the introduction of speech data collection alongside transcription. The role involved decisions about people, technology, investment and partnerships as markets changed.
Through APK Consultancy, I worked across international business connections, skills sharing and management education. Its website service, APKWeB, helped clients in Switzerland, Asia, the UK and other markets develop their brand and online presentation.
As Commercial Representative for St Helena Island, I presented investment opportunities, facilitated meetings and represented the island at events. I also supported PR, media and recruitment—work that required understanding the island’s priorities and communicating them to different audiences.
In 2026, I stepped down from my full-time CEO role to focus on independent creative and commercial advisory work. Today, I draw on that experience to help clients clarify their proposition, assess opportunities and develop the relationships needed to put plans into practice.
The Principles Behind My Work
Perspective
I begin by listening, asking questions and looking carefully at what is already there. Bringing different experiences and viewpoints together helps us understand the situation before deciding on a direction.
Clarity
I help clarify what you offer, who it matters to and what needs attention. Together, we work through uncertainties and establish a shared understanding of the message, priorities and practical next steps.
Character
I look for what gives your business, place or project its own identity. Its story and presentation should reflect that character, with language and creative choices that stay true to the people and work behind it.
A Way of Seeing, Inherited
The instinct to look beneath the surface began long before it became part of my work.
Much of my creative outlook comes from my father, Andres (Andrzej) Kossowski, known as Andre. Born near Warsaw in 1929, his life brought together exploration, technical work and a lasting interest in art. In Venezuela, he and his brother Mariano co-founded Mariano & Co., the independent television production company from which Promar Television later grew.
His work also took him into photogrammetry and aerial mapping, helping to chart remote regions and support urban planning. Alongside his professional life, he drew, painted, photographed and travelled, from Venezuela to the landscapes of Namibia.
What I inherited was his curiosity and a way of looking: patiently, carefully and beyond the obvious. That influence continues through my photography and writing, and in the attention I bring to understanding someone else’s work.
ABOUT ANDRES KOSSOWSKIIn Their Words
St Helena’s investment-promotion programme in South Africa was well attended and generated plenty of interest thanks to our excellent Commercial Representative in South Africa, Adam Kossowski.
MARK CAPES, Governor of St Helena, St Helena Government, 2013
Adam, the beautiful narration of the scene and your personal experience gives additional meaning. Your photos are magnificent. I cannot imagine more incisive and haunting portraits of wild animals than you produce.
BULENT ATALAY (United States)
You paint a glorious picture of your precious Africa through a wondrous use of lyrical prose. You have a very moving gift of language, Adam. Let it flourish and thank you for sharing it with us all.
SHELAGH CAMERON (Scotland)
Photography & Creative Practice
Photography is a longstanding creative practice that I pursue alongside my advisory work. My photographs explore wildlife, birdlife, coast and place, often accompanied by writing about the encounter or setting behind an image.
This practice keeps me attentive to detail, atmosphere and the stories a place can hold. Explore the collections to discover the photographs and enquire about prints or licensing. Selected publications and commissioned work appear below.
PublicationKruger Speaks / 2026
A selection of my wildlife photographs appears in Kruger Speaks, published by Struik Nature.
PublicationImagine / 2024
My photograph Pitter Patter featured in Imagine, a magazine covering art, painting and photography.
CalendarBirds of Southern Africa / 2024
My photograph Ruby Refined featured in the 2024 edition of the Birds of Southern Africa calendar.
FeatureGetaway / 2024
My photograph BR115 Night featured in Getaway, bringing my travel photography to its readers.
Front Cover FeatureDaily Star / 2023
My wildlife photograph A Nose for Fine Dining appeared on the front page of the Daily Star.
Selected AssignmentArniston Hotel / 2026
Commissioned photography exploring the Arniston Hotel, its coastal setting and the surrounding village.
Begin With a Conversation
If you need a fresh perspective on your business, a clearer story or support with a commercial opportunity, I’d be glad to hear from you. Tell me what you have in mind, and we can discuss where I could help.