Polly Swann

  • Policy and Urban Regeneration Consultant
  • 20/05/2025
Senior researcher Labour Markets and Employment Public Policy and Regulation Urban and Regional Development

Personal Summary

I am an independent research consultant in the urban regeneration sector, having worked for over ten years in senior positions in research based economic development consultancies. My particular areas of specialism are project development and programme management, impact assessment and evaluation and socio-economic analysis; working with government departments, non-departmental public bodies, local authorities and a variety of private and charitable sector organisations. My most recent work involved providing research and policy expertise to help shape and develop the delivery of strategic plans and evidence-based policy planning for a government department. I am also a Director of a not-for-profit Fairtrade store in my home-town.

Work Experience

Rural Policy and Place Researcher
Jun 2023 - Mar 2024 Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra)

My role within the Rural and Place team involved providing research and policy expertise to help shape and develop the delivery of strategic plans and evidence-based policy planning. This included  writing a range of reports and policy documents on rural communities and undertaking work on themes of interest, such as rural growth, housing, net zero and cost of living in rural communities. 

Freelance Policy and Urban Regeneration Consultant
Mar 2019 - Present

As a freelance Policy and Urban Regeneration Consultant, I have undertaken a range of projects for different public and private sector clients,  including socio-economic analysis and research, strategy development, organisational and partnership reviews, and evaluation in the fields of community led local development, housing and neighbourhood regeneration, health, employment and worklessness.

Education

BSc in Geography
Sep 1999 - Aug 2002 University College London
MSc in Environment & Development
Sep 2002 - Aug 2003 Kings College London