Our Story
At Purpose Built, we believe in harnessing the power of storytelling to drive real-world change.
Founded by Adam Laister, wildlife and conservation filmmaker with 10 years of experience in high-end broadcast documentaries, his journey began with a desire to forge a new path.
During his career, Adam has worked with renowned networks like the BBC, Netflix and National Geographic, creating visually stunning content that captivates audiences.
However, he realised that while television excels at entertaining, it often falls short in making a lasting impact. This growing awareness sparked a passion for deeper, purpose-driven storytelling - stories that don’t just entertain but inspire action and awareness.
With a degree in Environmental Science, Adam wanted to utilise his knowledge and combined skill set to create films that inspire change, to tell the stories which don't fit into the usual TV remit.
Purpose Built began with a question:
What if the kind of films that move people in cinemas could also move them to take action?
After many years producing award-winning documentaries, we’ve seen how powerful honest storytelling can be. We’ve filmed with activists, frontline workers, and everyday heroes - always aiming to go deeper than surface-level storytelling.
Now, we use that experience to help charities, ethical brands, and purpose-driven organisations connect with their audiences in a meaningful way. Not with spin. Not with slogans. Just real stories, well told.
Meet the Team
Adam Laister
Founder and Director of Photography
Adam has a background in adventure and wildlife filmmaking, capturing footage for major broadcasters, working on flagship productions such as Blue Planet 3. His expertise spans across various camera systems, ranging from gimbals to underwater cinematography, aerial, long-lens, time-lapse, and the raw authenticity of handheld filming. He has a strong sense for composition and is always seeking new ways to tell a story with advancements of modern technology. Having filmed all over the globe, he thrives working in remote and challenging environments, but is just as happy filming in some woods or a wetland in the UK!
Nick Jones
Art Director and Camera Operator
Nick is a passionate and commercially driven creative with unwavering commitment to precision, consistency, and execution. With a Specialism in TV pitch deck design over the past 7 years and over 20 years of combined professional experience in design, film, animation, identity, print, digital and social for global brands. Nick thrives working on multiple projects, collaborating with colleagues and adjacent teams to present a full range of solutions. Personal ethos to push boundaries, crafting ideas into strategic and purposeful content. Award winning filmmaker, commercial diver and drone pilot, he has worked on development and productions for BBC, Sky, Netflix, Prime, Nat Geo and more.
Joey Haines
Development Producer and Self shooting PD
Joey is an award winning filmmaker with strong editorial instincts and technical expertise. He is highly skilled in developing stories that meet client and channel needs, Joey has delivered content for major broadcasters and brands across linear and digital. He's known for clear communication and strong relationships with contributors and talent, Joey brings creativity, insight, and reliability to every production.
Georgie Maw Warner
Rewilding Partner & On-Screen Collaborator
Georgie has a background in conservation biology and is currently rewilding her farm, just outside Bath, Somerset. She is passionate about nature restoration and this has connected her to many others on a similar journey. Her ambition is to visit other sites across the UK and further afield, to tell their story, learn more about the great work they are doing and the schemes they are using which can aid landowners to increase the biodiversity of their land, while maintaining a functioning farm.
See more about her work at
Wonderful Wild West
Amy Swan BFE
Editor
Amy is a Bristol-based film and television editor with over a decade of experience across broadcast drama, documentary, factual entertainment and short-form content. Her work spans major UK broadcasters, independent productions and digital platforms. She is a member of British Film Editors (BFE). Drawn particularly to human-interest stories, Amy believes in the power of film to offer insight into other people's lives and experiences. She enjoys finding the emotional heart of a story, shaping narratives that invite audiences to see the world from a different perspective. For Amy, environmental storytelling is part of that same belief in the power of shared experience. By bringing people closer to the natural world and to the lives and perspectives of others, film can encourage a greater sense of connection, understanding and collective responsibility.
Our Recent Work
Filmed over two days with Kirsty Elwood, an artist making beautiful, joyful pieces of art from driftwood collected near her home in Cornwall. We talked to Kirsty about art, the ocean - and slowing down.
The story follows a year 6 student who experiences racism on the football pitch, in class, and online, but eventually gets the support he needs to deal with the situation.
This film was created for Bristol Cycling Centre as part of a marketing campaign for a bid to get more funding. They are doing a great thing over there, with the facilities to provide a safe environment for people of all abilities and disabilities to learn to cycle.
Come with George as he takes you into the British countryside on a beautiful spring day, foraging the ingredients for his meal that he cooks within a stunning woodland filled with wild garlic.