Independent chair appointed to lead Review of Inequality and Life Outcomes

Polly Herbert has been appointed as the independent chair of the city’s Review of Inequality and Life Outcomes, a major piece of work examining the causes and impacts of inequality across the city and identifying actions to improve life chances for residents.

Polly brings more than 20 years’ professional experience in education alongside lived experience of growing up in poverty in Brighton & Hove.

A Brighton resident, she grew up in Moulsecoomb in a single-parent family and has spoken openly about the lasting impacts of deprivation on confidence, health and opportunity.

Significant opportunity for the city

Professionally, Polly began her career as a teaching assistant and primary school teacher and is now head of initial teacher education at the University of Brighton, where she leads strategy, quality and governance across teacher training programmes and chairs a regional partnership representing over 600 schools.

Speaking on her appointment, she said: “I’m delighted to take on the role of chair of this review, which represents a significant opportunity for the city to place lived experience at the centre of meaningful change.

“I’m committed to working with communities and institutions across Brighton & Hove to ensure the review produces credible and impactful recommendations.”

Tackling persistent inequalities

The Review of Inequality and Life Outcomes was agreed by the council in October 2025 and is focused on understanding persistent inequalities in the city, drawing on lived experience alongside evidence from residents, community organisations, employers and experts through a city-wide call for evidence.

Councillor Jacob Taylor, Deputy Leader of the council, said: “Brighton & Hove is a city of stark contrasts, and inequality continues to shape life chances for too many residents.

“Polly’s combination of professional expertise and lived experience makes her an outstanding choice to chair this review, and I’m confident she will help ensure this work leads to real, lasting change for our communities.”

The review will now move into its next phase, including panel recruitment, stakeholder engagement and the launch of the call for evidence.