Darius McDermott

Managing Director

I joined Chelsea's graduate training scheme in February 1996, after graduating from Birmingham University with a BSc (Hons) in Chemistry. Somehow I am just starting my 28th year with the company. I was promoted to managing director in February 2000. As well as managing the business and being part of the research team, I have an active role in the financial media and am quoted regularly in both national newspapers and more specialist financial publications as well as TV and Radio.

In 2014, I helped to launch FundCalibre, an independent fund ratings and research business which has gone from strength to strength and is approaching its 10th anniversary.

From our research platform and to meet client demand, in June 2017 we launched a range of multi asset funds, the VT Chelsea Managed Cautious, Balanced, Aggressive and Monthly Income funds. It has been a pleasure to advise on these funds and assist our clients to grow their wealth.

I am the Chairman of the Association for Independent Discount and Non-Advisory Brokers (AIDB). The AIDB represents the views and interests of the discount broking, execution-only and non-advised sales community to the regulator, the fund groups and platforms and the general public.

I am also a member of the IA sectors committee and a judge on most fund manager awards including Investment Week and Portfolio Adviser.

Outside work (almost literally, as our office is a stone's throw from the stadium) I am a dedicated Chelsea football fan. I am a family man with lots of interests, especially around sports.