Polly Courtney is an English author and media commentator. She is best known as the author of the novels Golden Handcuffs and Poles Apart.

In her early years, Courtney was a straight-A student who spent her free time playing a multitude of sports and playing violin with various orchestras and quartets. She grew up in London. Courtney graduated from Trinity College, University of Cambridge with an Engineering degree, and worked in investment banking for a year before resigning to spend time writing her first novel based on her experiences in the City.