EMBARGOED UNTIL 00:01, WEDNESDAY 15 APRIL 2026: Raksha Pattni joins Northern Powerhouse Partnership Board

The Northern Powerhouse Partnership (NPP) has today announced the appointment of Raksha Pattni, Chair of SHINE, to its Board.

Raksha joins the Partnership with significant experience of tackling the structural barriers that hold back young people’s attainment and progression, particularly in parts of the North where outcomes remain stubbornly below the national average.

As Chair of SHINE – an education charity founded by Jim O’Neill, Co-President of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership – she works to identify effective approaches to improving attainment and expand them into more schools and communities.

Alongside this, during her time at the Ambition Institute, she worked closely with partner organisations across England to scale the delivery of high-quality, evidence-informed programmes for teachers and schools leaders, enabling more schools serving disadvantaged communities to benefit from them.  Earlier in her career, she developed long‑term partnerships between businesses and schools, creating stronger links between employers and the future talent pipeline.

Raksha has an established relationship with the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, having previously contributed to the Educating The North report, which set out practical steps to improve outcomes and strengthen links between education and the wider economy.

Her appointment comes as the Government develops its Northern Growth Strategy, with a renewed focus on closing the productivity gap between regions. Improving attainment and ensuring more young people can progress into good jobs will be central to that ambition.

Baroness Julie Elliott, Chair of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, said:

“Raksha brings a really valuable combination of experience to the Partnership. She understands both how to improve outcomes within the education system and how employers can play a stronger role in supporting young people’s progression into stable and meaningful employment.

“She has a clear focus on what actually makes a difference on the ground, and how successful approaches can be scaled to reach more communities. “That practical insight will strengthen the Partnership’s work as we continue to highlight the role that skills and the education system play in sustaining long-term economic growth across the North.”

Raksha Pattni said:

“I’m proud to be joining the Board of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership at such an important moment for the North.

“The Northern Growth Strategy presents a real opportunity to address long-standing inequalities and unlock the region’s full potential. Improving educational outcomes and supporting young people to succeed must be central to that.

“I look forward to working with all those involved with the Partnership, including those from businesses and local and national government, to make that ambition a reality.”

ENDS