Jim Leaviss, a former fund manager at M&G Investments who spent nearly three decades making the bond market understandable and even entertaining, has died at the age of 55, according to a report by the Financial Times.
Leaviss joined M&G in 1997, coming from the Bank of England. Over 27 years, he became one of the more recognizable voices in fixed income. He was a key force behind M&G's Bond Vigilantes blog and hosted a podcast called "Uncle Jim's World of Bonds." He left the firm after 27 years to pursue a master's degree at the Courtauld Institute in the history of art, which he described at the time as "the only thing more exciting than the bond market."
In 2016, Leaviss developed something of a cult following in bond market circles by explaining the intricacies of the Japanese economy while dressed as Super Mario, driving a go-kart around Tokyo. The stunt became one of the more memorable moments in financial media that year.
His former colleague Stefan Isaacs remembered him in direct terms. Leaviss was a "formidable leader, exceptionally bright, endlessly creative and gifted with a rare ability to make bond markets both engaging and enjoyable. Above all, though, Jim embraced life to the fullest," Isaacs said. Another former colleague, Claudia Calich, described him as "everybody's favourite uncle."
Away from markets, Leaviss was an enthusiastic music fan. He had considered becoming a music journalist in his youth. In his final blog post for M&G, he shared what he called his "definitive list of the five best bands in the world ever": New Order, The Velvet Underground, The Smiths and Morrissey, LCD Soundsystem, and David Bowie. He was a regular attendee at the KLF's annual festival in Toxteth and, more recently, Birkenhead.
He was also a keen cyclist and a committed supporter of Nottingham Forest football club. He attended many of their matches.
On his departure from M&G, the Financial Times presented Leaviss with a mug featuring modernist art to illustrate the inverse relationship between bond prices and yields, a concept he had spent years explaining to general audiences.
His family has asked that donations be made to Cancer Research UK. M&G is running a virtual book of condolences. He is survived by his wife, sons, family, and former colleagues.