Nigel Weatherill was born in Cleckheaton, Yorkshire. He is married to his wife Barbara Weatherill. Together they have 2 children, George Weatherill and Laura Weatherill. He attended Whitcliffe Mount Grammar School. Afterwards he attended the University of Southampton where he obtained an undergraduate and postgraduate in Mathematics and Aeronautics. He later obtained a Ph.D from the universities department of mathematics for his work on magnetohydrodynamics.
Early career
After leaving university, Nigel Weatherill joined a research team part of the Anglian Water Authority developing mathematical models to predict the water quality in rivers and estuaries, then later undertook work into compressible flows in aeronautics at the Aircraft Research Association. In 1986 he was a research fellow at the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Princeton University in the US. After returning to the UK, Nigel Weatherill was appointed lecturer in the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Swansea in 1987. In 1995 he was appointed to a personal chair before becoming the head of department in 1996. When Swansea University Department of Engineering was integrated in 2001, Weatherill was made head of the School of Engineering, a position he held until 2007. In 2002 he became pro-vice-chancellor. In 2008 he moved to the University of Birmingham where he was pro-vice-chancellor and head of the College of Engineering and Physical Science.
V-C at LJMU
On 1 September 2011, Nigel Weatherill was appointed Vice-Chancellor of Liverpool John Moores University, replacing the outgoing Michael Brown. Seven years later, on 14 September 2018, LJMU Pro-Chancellor and Chair of Governors, Rod Hill, announced: "Following discussions between the Board of Governors and the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Nigel Weatherill has confirmed to me as Chair of the Board that he intends to step down as Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of Liverpool John Moores University with immediate effect". No reasons were given, although the Liverpool Echo newspaper reported, "The ECHO understands Prof. Weatherill has not chosen to retire". The LJMU release added that: "The business of the University will continue without delay or distraction under the leadership of Mark Power, Registrar, Secretary and Deputy Chief Executive, who will assume the title of Interim Head of Institution and Chief Executive". Mr Hill said, ' After seven years under Professor Weatherill's leadership, the University has achieved excellent student recruitment, an enhanced student experience, new academic partnerships at home and abroad, and an increased focus on research and scholarship LJMU is therefore in a strong position to move forward being well resourced and financially sound.' It has been noted that the Student experience enhancements were specifically at John Foster's and surrounding areas, to the detriment of other campuses. The Times Higher Education Supplement commented that, "LJMU's finance director preceded V-C out of LJMU exit door: the University declines to comment on factors behind pair of sudden departures"
