Barry Purves is a British animator, stage director, film director and designer. Purves also teaches and writes about animation. His films have won awards around the world and he has been nominated for an OSCAR and a BAFTA. As well as his own films, Purves worked on Tim Burton's Mars Attacks! and Peter Jackson's King Kong.

Amongst Purves' television credits as director or animator are the well-known programmes Rainbow, Chorlton and the Wheelies, The Pied Piper of Hamelin, The Wind in the Willows, Rupert Bear, Postman Pat and Bob the Builder. Purves acted as supervising director of 'Twirlywoos' produced by Ragdoll for the BBC. He also directed numerous episodes of Channel Five's programme Toby's Travelling Circus.

Purves established his own company, Bare Boards, through which he has produced title sequences and commericals.

In the theatre world, Purves has worked mainly with the Altrincham Garrick Playhouse in Manchester as a director and designer.