William Macadam was born in London and educated in England and the logging camps off the west coast of Canada. He subsequently operated a "Bush" airline there. He later helped pioneer Canadian independent television production and film in Canada through his production companies and as a producer and director and also as researcher and writer of his documentaries. He produced investigative documentaries, drama series, and movies and chaired various Canadian film and television industry organisations. He retired to his family farm in Norfolk UK and has been active in conservation causes there and continues years of historical research.