SHINE Chair joins Northern Powerhouse Partnership

Raksha Pattni, Chair of SHINE, has been appointed to the Board of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership (NPP).

The move strengthens the already close working relationship between the two organisations. SHINE founding Trustee Jim O’Neill also serves as Co-President of the NPP.

At SHINE, Raksha heads up the charity’s work in identifying what improves attainment for disadvantaged pupils and scale those approaches across schools and communities. Her new appointment reflects that expertise, alongside a career focused on tackling the structural barriers holding back young people’s outcomes, particularly in the North.

Raksha has also worked nationally with the Ambition Institute to expand access to high-quality, evidence-informed programmes for teachers and school leaders –helping more schools serving disadvantaged communities benefit from proven approaches. Earlier in her career, she built long-term partnerships between businesses and schools to strengthen pathways into employment.

A long-standing contributor to NPP’s work, including its Educating The North report, Raksha joins the Board at a pivotal moment, 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.

Julie Elliott, Chair of the NPP, 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 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.”