Our Research Team

Our research department has expanded over the years and we now have a dedicated team of four, along with two others who also contribute. Furthermore, Darius, our managing director, interviews fund managers, alongside the rest of the team, and is involved in fund selection.

All team members have various sector responsibilities and interview fund managers. Everyone has a say when it comes to selecting funds for Chelsea's various panels/model portfolios and the debates can be quite lengthy and passionate.

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 also 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.

Juliet Schooling Latter, Research Director

I joined Chelsea after gaining a degree in economics from University College London. After working my way around various departments, I became head of research in 2001 and subsequently research director in 2013. Initially, I was instrumental in introducing the Chelsea Core Selection, the Chelsea EasyISAs and Fund Review. I also edit our popular Viewpoint magazine and help to provide investment commentary to the press.

I have interviewed thousands of fund managers over the years and in 2014 I helped to launch an independent fund ratings business, designed to help investors with their fund selection. FundCalibre's Elite Rating is now widely-recognised, by both investors and the investment industry, as a mark of excellence.

More recently, in 2017, our research team designed and launched a range of multi-asset funds for those investors who prefer a one-stop investment solution, which they can buy and hold. The VT Chelsea Managed Cautious, Balanced, Aggressive and Monthly Income funds have gone from strength to strength and are extremely popular with our clients.

I combine this with looking after my three little girls, attempting to improve my fitness and on rare occasions getting out to the theatre.

James Yardley, Head of Investments

I graduated from King's College London in 2009 with a BA in War Studies. I have now been working at Chelsea for over a decade. I have a passion for investing and improving financial education. I work on asset allocation, portfolio construction, fund selection and investment trust research. A natural worrier, I look for the worst parts of any investment to reveal the truth. I conceived, designed and helped to launch the VT Chelsea Managed fund range for which I was awarded the Investment Week Trailblazer award in 2019. Most of my time is spent working on the VT Chelsea Managed fund range. I am a CFA charterholder. Outside of work I enjoy playing chess and poker.

Peter Hicks, Research Analyst

I joined the team last year, having completed my masters in international business and management. I’m responsible for data production and statistical analysis. I also meet fund managers and assist with meeting note production that enables us to have a clear thought process on how the fund managers might perform in rising and falling markets. I have recently passed the IMC exam.

Joss Murphy, Junior Research Analyst

I obtained a first-class MSc at Bayes Business School in 2021 having finished my bachelor’s studies at Bristol University the previous year. I obtained full certification in the IMC in June 2023. My role comprises of fund research, producing daily valuations for the fund range and interviewing managers of funds, amongst other responsibilities.

I am a natural contrarian who seeks to find value opportunities when negative sentiment has resulted in assets becoming oversold. In my opinion the VT Managed Aggressive fund is where you will find exciting opportunities. Outside of work, I am an avid follower of sports. I particularly love going to the races and watching my beloved Arsenal.

Belinda Venning, Senior Research Support

I originally joined Chelsea in 2001 after graduating from Leeds University with a BA Hons in French and Italian. After leaving to pursue a career in cooking, I was lucky enough to rejoin Chelsea and am now a member of the research team, assisting with Viewpoint, Fund Review and supporting the team with various projects and day-to-day tasks. When not at my desk I am usually running around after my small child.