Bond veteran Jim Leaviss has sadly passed away aged 55, Portfolio Adviser has learned.
The former chief investment officer, fixed income at M&G, who retired in 2024 to pursue a Master’s degree in Art History, first joined M&G in 1997.
During his 27-year career with the firm, he ultimately became chief investment officer of public fixed income, having launched and managed M&G Global Macro Bond fund for nearly 25 years.
In 2006 Leaviss launched the much-loved Bond Vigilantes blog and, in 2020, launched the Uncle Jim’s World of Bonds podcast.
A spokesperson for M&G said: “On behalf of everyone at M&G, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Jim’s wife, sons, family and loved ones. His legacy lives on in the business he helped build, the people he developed and the many lives he touched during his remarkable career.
“He will also be remembered with enormous affection for the impact he had on people. Throughout his career, Jim was generous with his time, knowledge and encouragement, mentoring and inspiring many colleagues and helping to develop generations of investment talent across the business.”
The family wishes for privacy and funeral arrangements will remain private. However, family has requested that those who would like to make a donation in Leaviss’s memory make them to Cancer Research UK. M&G has also opened a virtual book of condolences, which can be accessed here, for members of the industry to share their memories.
Stefan Isaacs, co-head of macro credit at M&G, said: “Jim was one of those rare individuals who left an indelible impression on everyone fortunate enough to work with him. I had the privilege of working alongside him for more than 20 years. He was a formidable leader—exceptionally bright, endlessly creative, and gifted with the rare ability to make bond markets both engaging and enjoyable. Few things gave him greater pride than the Bond Vigilantes blog, which he helped pioneer and grow into one of the industry’s most influential voices.
“Above all, though, Jim embraced life to the fullest. His passion for art, sport, music, and literature was infectious, and he approached the world with an insatiable curiosity and enthusiasm. Warm, generous, and unfailingly kind, he was always willing to give his time and support to others.
“Whenever we found ourselves in New York, we would invariably end up at Welcome to the Johnsons, a dive bar in Soho that became something of a tradition. I look forward to returning there one day to raise a glass to a friend who will be profoundly missed.”
Claudia Calich, former head of emerging markets debt at M&G, said: “I had the privilege of working with Jim for more than a decade. I still vividly remember meeting him for the first time, thirteen years ago, to discuss the possibility of joining M&G. We met at a pizza place in Bushwick, Brooklyn — an unexpected choice. Having lived in New York for over 20 years, I was surprised by his suggestion; most such meetings would typically have taken place in a characterless office or café in Midtown Manhattan.
“Our conversation was engaging and wide-ranging, covering everything from my experience managing emerging market debt to the latest travails of the Turkish lira. From that very first meeting, Jim struck me as unconventional, energetic, and deeply inspiring.
“Those qualities remained evident throughout the 11 years we worked together. He had a unique ability to connect with people, bringing warmth, wisdom, and humour to every interaction. In many ways, he was everybody’s favourite uncle.
“I feel fortunate to have known and worked alongside him, and I will always remember the energy, encouragement, and perspective he brought to those around him.”
