The name David Paulden may seem unfamiliar to readers who follow British politics, but it is closely connected to one of the Green Party’s most prominent figures. David Paulden is the birth name of Zack Polanski, who became Leader of the Green Party of England and Wales in September 2025. His journey from Salford and the world of theatre to London politics has included acting, community work, hypnotherapy and a significant change of name at the age of 18.
Quick Bio
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full birth name | David Paulden |
| Known as | Zack Polanski |
| Date of birth | 2 November 1982 |
| Birthplace | Salford, Greater Manchester, England |
| Profession | Politician, former actor and hypnotherapist |
| Political party | Green Party of England and Wales |
| Current role | Leader of the Green Party of England and Wales |
| London Assembly | Member since 2021 |
| Education | Aberystwyth University |
| Partner | Richie Bryan |
| Previous political party | Liberal Democrats |
| Name change | Changed his name at 18 |
Who Is David Paulden?
So, who is David Paulden? The simplest answer is that David Paulden is the birth name of Zack Polanski, the British politician who currently leads the Green Party of England and Wales.
Born in Salford in 1982, Polanski had an unconventional route into politics. His early career was connected to drama, community theatre and other forms of work rather than traditional political institutions. He later entered electoral politics, first through the Liberal Democrats and then through the Green Party.
His political career reached a major milestone when he was elected to the London Assembly in 2021. He became Green Party deputy leader in 2022 and went on to win the party leadership election in 2025. The Green Party officially announced his election as leader on 2 September 2025.
David Paulden Name Change Explained
One of the most interesting parts of his biography concerns the David Paulden name change.
Polanski changed his name when he was 18. Reports explain that the change involved both his first and last names. His family had used the surname Paulden, while Polanski later adopted the surname associated with his Jewish grandfather. He has described the change as a way of reconnecting with his Jewish heritage.
The first-name change had a more personal explanation. His stepfather was also named David, and he wanted a name that distinguished him from him. The name Zack was reportedly inspired in part by the character Zach in Michelle Magorian’s novel Goodnight Mister Tom.
This is why searches for Zack Polanski real name David Paulden lead to the same person. David Paulden is not a different political figure; it is the name he was born with before adopting the name Zack Polanski.
David Paulden Parents and Family Background
Information about the family is relatively limited, but Polanski has spoken publicly about his upbringing.
He was born and raised in Salford, Greater Manchester. His parents separated when he was young. In an interview with The Guardian, he described his mother as an actor and his father as someone who worked in a DIY shop.
His family background also helps explain his decision to restore the Polanski surname. He has discussed his Jewish heritage and the history behind his family’s surname, saying that the family had modified the name in an environment where antisemitism was a concern.
Although people sometimes search for David Paulden mother and David Paulden parents, there is not a large amount of independently documented information about his parents’ personal lives. For that reason, it is better to focus on the details Polanski himself has discussed publicly rather than repeat unsupported claims about his family.
Education and Early Career
Before politics became his main career, Polanski studied drama at Aberystwyth University. He later spent time in the United States, where he continued his interest in performance and theatre. His background in acting influenced his communication style and later became part of the story surrounding his rise in politics.
His work was broader than conventional stage acting. He became involved in community theatre, including work associated with Theatre of the Oppressed. The Green Party says he used theatre to work with marginalised communities and help people tell their own stories.
This experience is often seen as an important part of his political identity. Rather than coming directly from a conventional political career, he developed skills in communication, public performance and community engagement before entering elected office.
Was David Paulden an Actor?
Yes. The search phrase David Paulden actor refers to Zack Polanski’s earlier professional life.
Before becoming a politician, he worked as an actor and in community theatre. His performance background included immersive theatre, while he also worked in education, hospitality and other jobs. London City Hall describes his broader background as including acting, youth work and hospitality.
His theatrical experience later became useful in politics, particularly during campaigns and public speaking appearances. Polanski himself has acknowledged that his background as an actor contributed to having a strong voice and confidence in public demonstrations and political events.
David Paulden as a Hypnotherapist
Another part of his earlier career is reflected in the search term David Paulden hypnotherapist.
After his work in theatre and other jobs, Polanski worked as a hypnotherapist. Profiles of his career have discussed his time working in this field before he became a full-time political figure.
His hypnotherapy career later attracted media attention because of a 2013 newspaper article involving a controversial session. Polanski subsequently apologised for his involvement in the episode and said he had been uncomfortable with how the situation was presented. Because the episode is part of his documented public biography, it is relevant when discussing his earlier career, but it should not overshadow the much longer story of his political work.
Political Career and Rise to Green Party Leader
Polanski did not begin his political career with the Greens. He was initially involved with the Liberal Democrats, including standing in local and London elections. He joined the Green Party in 2017 after becoming increasingly interested in its environmental and social policies.
His breakthrough came in 2021, when he was elected to the London Assembly. He subsequently became deputy leader of the Green Party in 2022. As a London Assembly member, he has worked on issues including housing, electoral reform, environmental policy and London’s creative sector.
In 2025, he ran for Green Party leader on a platform he described as “eco-populism.” His campaign focused on making the party more visible, connecting environmental issues with everyday economic concerns and building a broader political movement. He won the leadership election on 2 September 2025.
David Paulden Net Worth
There is no reliable, publicly established figure for David Paulden net worth, and online estimates should therefore be treated cautiously.
As Zack Polanski, he has held elected public office rather than running a large private business empire. London City Hall currently lists his London Assembly salary at £66,390. His official profile also records his responsibilities within the Assembly.
A specific personal net-worth figure would require verified information about assets, savings, property and other finances, which is not publicly established in the sources available. It is therefore more accurate to say that his exact net worth is not publicly known.
Partner, Personal Life and Family
Polanski lives with his partner Richie Bryan, who works in palliative care. The Green Party’s biography has also stated that the couple live in London.
Public sources do not establish that he has children, so claims about children or a larger private family should not be presented as fact without reliable evidence. His public profile is primarily focused on his political work and his role in the Green Party.
Final Thoughts on David Paulden
The story of David Paulden is essentially the early chapter of Zack Polanski’s biography. Born in Salford, he changed his name at 18, explored acting and community theatre, worked as a hypnotherapist and eventually entered politics. His move from the Liberal Democrats to the Green Party led to elected office in London, the deputy leadership and, ultimately, the leadership of the Green Party of England and Wales.
For readers trying to understand who is David Paulden, the important point is that he is not a separate public figure from Zack Polanski. David Paulden is the name he was born with, while Zack Polanski is the name under which he has built his public and political career. His unusual professional background and personal decision to reclaim his family’s surname make his biography different from that of many British politicians.
At Globe Gist, we aim to make complex public-figure stories easier to understand by bringing together the key facts, career milestones and personal background in one clear profile.
