cleaner, faster data

"Experience, professionalism, enthusiasm"

Staff Profiles

In delivering cleaner, faster data, CWEST customers work closely with our core team:

The directors:
Broadbent

Louise Broadbent

As a co-founder and Managing Director, Louise has spear-headed the development of EDI from its inception in 2002 into a leading Development Research and Consultancy firm.    Louise has over 12 years professional experience advising senior ministers, international development partners and grass-roots organisations alike.
With a strong financial and commercial background Louise excels at translating successfully proven private sector methodologies into relevant and effective solutions targeted to the development context.

Louise is responsible for leading EDI’s continued expansion and oversight of all business functions and she plays a key role in the development and growth of the CWEST business.
De Weerdt

Dr Joachim De Weerdt

Joachim, co-founder and Research Director of EDI, established EDI's research and survey arm, and shapes its further development.   He is a highly experience researcher and survey manager, with a thirst for new ideas and technologies to improve the speed, cost and quality of surveys.  In designing the methodology for the World Bank’s SHWALITA survey, Joachim began looking for ways to utilise advances in mobile computing for superior data collection. Realising the market did not provide appropriate software for the kind of surveys EDI typically implements; Joachim invited Neil on board to develop it from scratch, without any compromises, just the way it needed to be.
Joachim has directed dozens of surveys in rural areas, but remains active as academic researcher, with publications in top peer-reviewed economic and biomedical journals. This provides him with the ability to understand surveys also from the perspective of the analyst.

More info?
The team:
De Weerdt

Neil Chalmers – Technical Architect

Neil is in many ways the father of CWEST and has played a key role in both conceptualising and operationalising the technology. Neil combines the rare combination of being an experienced software engineer, while at the same time having vast experience with the practicalities of survey work. Neil has worked closely with researchers, survey managers and field staff to gain a broad understanding of the sector in all its dimensions. Before joining EDI, Neil had been involved in developing tailor made software solutions for public, private and academic organisations for the past 25 years. As part of his experience he worked at enhancing the technology behind surveys in Asia, Africa and Europe.
Mitchener

James Mitchener – Project Manager & Software Developer

James has a Masters Degree (with distinction) in Computer Science from University College London and has extensive experience in developing software applications. In addition, to his strong programming expertise, he has a strong background in survey design and implementation having worked in Tanzania on a number of CWIQ Surveys in 2005. As a CWEST Project Manager, James is responsible for the development of clients’ cwestionnaires, user training and ongoing technical support.
Wiseman

Dr Matthew Wiseman – Operations Manager (EDI)

Matt Wiseman is our Operations Manager and is responsible for the day to day running of EDI including CWEST. Matt leads EDI’s Operations Divisions and oversees all administration, human resource management, finance and logistical functions. With over 4 years experience in the design and implementation of large scale research and consultancy assignments, Matt is an expert in mobilising resources and ensuring that staff, vehicles and supplies are in the right place at the right time. Matt has worked in the international development sector for over 7 years and has played a lead role in EDI’s development. He also has extensive consultancy experience in Public Sector Management, HR Management and project evaluation.