About Us
We are a non-profit charitable community benefit society, with a board of directors and CEO with extensive business and education sector backgrounds. We use our broad range of skills and connections to develop opportunities for young people on the Isle of Wight.
Who are Ed-WISE?
We always welcome enquiries from people who may like to know more about our organisation or who have skills that may be interested in sharing. To know more, please fill out our contact form or speak to our CEO, David Thornton, on 07726 342220.
Meet The Ed-WISE Leadership Team
Our Board has a wide range of skills and experience across education and business sectors
David Thornton
CEO Ed-WISE
David’s professional background is in Sales and Marketing, having worked at a senior level in regional press for most of his career. This included 8 years as Advertising Director of Isle of Wight County Press, prior to launching a business consultancy.
He has been a school governor 2010 – 2022, taking various leading committee roles and helping to facilitate the formation of a federation. In 2015 he was elected as a primary schools governor representative on the IOW Schools Forum, and became Vice Chair in 2017. In February 2018 he became an advisory board member of Young Enterprise IOW.
Carla Bradshaw
Chair of Ed-WISE
Carla Bradshaw, MBE, BHa, FISBL, SRMA is a graduate of the Institute of Hospitality Management, The Hague. Following a career in international hotels, she transitioned into Investment Banking where she was responsible for UK and European IPO and Corporate marketing globally. After a career break to look after her young family she became a School Business Professional.
She currently is the CFOO for a Single Academy Trust and works for the Department for Education with schools requiring or requesting support and as CFO Mentor. She is chair of a federation of two primary schools, supports the Isle of Wight Headteachers’ Forum and leads the Island School Business Managers’ Network. She is a trustee for the Diocesan Board of Education for Portsmouth and Winchester and a governor for Lancing College.
Eric Hemming
Eric is Chair of Ed-WISE. Eric’s career was in healthcare management and development in both public and private sectors. His experience in corporate governance began when he became a director of BUPA Hospitals in 1981 and has continued ever since, initially with BUPA and its other subsidiaries, and subsequently with a number of companies, some of which were involved in public/private collaboration, in executive and non-executive positions. He has acted as client leading various corporate transactions, including the promotion of a management buy-out and successful exit.
When Eric retired to IOW he became a school governor and later Chair of Governors. He has experience as an academy trustee and membership of the Schools Forum. He is a non-executive director of Healthwatch Isle of Wight.
Mel Lewis
Secretary of Ed-WISE
Melanie is Project Lead delivering Young Enterprise Company Programme on the Isle of Wight. Melanie makes an outstanding contribution to the student learning experience and is the glue that supports the business advisor and centre lead in each team, helping the students take their business vision and aspirations further.
Melanie’s role is to promote that self-belief in the student teams. Through Melanie’s encouragement we have seen many students take bold steps in their personal development, moving from quiet and reserved to engaging and self-confident.
These are life skills that become embedded in participating students.
Martine Raby
Martine is an Islander who studied History of Art with History, and took a post-graduate year in antique valuation. She worked in Cowes at an information service which traced art, antiques and collectables for dealers and collectors, and then as a PA / Events manager and subsequently in logistics.
Through her children she developed an interest in the running of schools, Martine chaired the local PTA and subsequently moved into school administration. She was an experienced Clerk to Governors before becoming a School Business Manager. Martine knows what it takes to keep school finances under tight control, while at the same time supporting ambitious and progressive headteachers to develop their school’s curriculum. With her children at secondary school she now concentrates on running her own long-established family business.
Dominic Ward
Board Member of Ed-WISE
Dominic has spent his working life in a global business environment running Operations and Engineering in the Electronics sector. This included extensive global travel working with teams around the world. He started as an apprentice leading to running the organisation with manufacturing locations in the USA and China.
He is the current chair of the Isle of Wight Technology group and connected with Ed-Wise through work with David. He has a passion for supporting young people on the Island, working to develop meaningful work placements and employability skills opportunities. He also currently sits on the Isle of Wight Economic Development board where he is driving activities to further support young people into meaningful work and a sustainable future for the Island.
Think you could help us?
We always welcome enquiries from people who may like to know more about our organisation or who have skills that may be interested in sharing.
To know more, please fill out our contact form or speak to our CEO, David Thornton, on 07726 342220.