Sir Nigel Sherlock started his connection with Newcastle University as a member of the Careers Advisory Board, activity fostering connections with Industry and Commerce. This led to his involvement with the Economics Department, who asked for help in finding placements in Industry and Commerce for the new four year degree in Business Administration.
He was asked to join the University Council in 1984 and was appointed Vice-Chairman of Council in 1992, appointed Chairman in 1993, retiring in 2002. During this period he served on many sub-committees, taking a particular interest in the Retirement Benefit Fund.
Gaining his degree at Nottingham University he entered the world of Investment Management and remained in the industry for the whole of his career ending up a Chairman of his company and having served as a board member of the London Stock Exchange and Vice-Chairman of his National Trade Organisation. In addition he served at various times as Chairman of a retail clothing business, a board member of a number of companies including a National Building Society, a builder’s merchant as well as part of a small group setting up an Investment Company for investment in unquoted companies. He was President of the North East Chamber of Commerce 2000-2001 and made a Companion of the Chartered Institute of Management.
For many years he has been involved with the Church of England both regionally and nationally, serving as Chairman of the Newcastle Diocese Board of Finance, Board Member of the Church of England Pension Fund and Chairing the Crown Nomination Committee for the Appointment of the Archbishop of York (2005). He is a Canon Emeritus of Newcastle Cathedral.
His other interests include serving as a Governor or a number of local schools, including the Chairmanship of the Newcastle Royal Grammar School, a lifetime service to the Scout movement, latterly serving as President of Northumberland Scouts having received their highest honour, Chairman of the Royal Northern Sinfonia and a board member of the Sage Gateshead.
His interest in the Armed Services was strengthened during his appointment as Lord Lieutenant through his membership of the North of England Reserve Forces and Cadet Association and subsequent Presidency and his Honorary Colonelship of the Northumbria Universities Officer Training Corps and the Royal Marines Tyne.
He has enjoyed his involvement with a number of charities serving on both grant making and grant receiving charities and was one of the Founding Members of the Tyne and Wear Community Foundation of which he is currently a Vice Patron.
Nigel Sherlock was Lord Lieutenant of Tyne and Wear 2000-2015, having served as a Deputy Lieutenant 1995-2000 and as High Sheriff of Tyne and Wear 1990-91. Nigel was awarded an Honorary DCL by Newcastle University in 2002, Northumbria University in 2006 and Sunderland University in 2015.
