15.12.1958

born in Hamburg

1977

Abitur (school-leaving examination and higher-education entrance qualification) at the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gymnasium, Hannover

1977 / 1978

Alternative service at the children's hospital Hannover

1978

Start of Studies of law at Göttingen University

1983

First State Exam in Law

1984 to 1986

junior lawyer

1986

Second State Exam in Law

1987

Marriage to Rosemarie Kerkow-Weil, Birth of their son Nils

1987 to 1989

Lawyer in Hannover

1989 to 1991

Judge and Prosecutor

1991 to 1994

Judge at the Amtsgericht (Local Court) Hannover, Delegation to the ministry of justice

1994 to 1997

Ministerialrat at the ministry of justice

1997 to 2006

City treasurer of Hannover

2006 to 2013

Lord Mayor of Hannover

since 19.02.2013

Prime Minister of Lower Saxony