Mayor of Dartford · Councillor for Wilmington, Sutton-at-Hone & Hawley · Lead Member for Business, Dartford Borough Council
From newcomer to civic leader: over five decades rooted in one community.
Avtar Sandhu relocated to Dartford in 1969 and has lived in the borough for more than 55 years. In that time he has become, as his family describe him, "a pillar of the Dartford community," with a record of civic involvement stretching back to when he was just 20 years old.
He is the brother of Rags Sandhu, and together they inherited and expanded the family enterprise founded by their father, Darshan Singh Sandhu MBE, a business figure equally known for his community involvement in Dartford.
Cllr Sandhu was first elected to Dartford Borough Council on 5 May 2011, representing the Wilmington, Sutton-at-Hone & Hawley ward, a seat he continues to hold. Earlier in his council career he also represented the Brent and Newtown wards.
He first held the office of Mayor of Dartford in 2014–15, and returned to the role for the 2026–27 civic year following his election at the Annual Council meeting on 6 May 2026. His wife, Sukh, serves as Mayoress for the year, and Councillor Carol Gale has been appointed Deputy Mayor.
A career of representation, from the ward to the Mayor's parlour.
Relocates to the borough that becomes home for the rest of his life.
Begins a lifetime of community and civic engagement in Dartford, long before entering the council chamber.
Elected as councillor, having previously represented the Brent and Newtown wards before taking the Wilmington, Sutton-at-Hone & Hawley seat he holds today.
Serves the civic year as the borough's first citizen.
Recognised with an MBE for outstanding contributions to the Dartford community.
Elected at the Annual Council meeting to serve a second term as Mayor, with his wife Sukh as Mayoress and Cllr Carol Gale as Deputy Mayor.
Serves on Dartford Borough Council's Cabinet as Lead Member for Business, drawing on his own decades in enterprise.
Represents the council on external bodies including the Council for Voluntary Service North West Kent and Darent Valley Hospital.
Trustee of the Kent Cohesion Council and Dartford Lions Club, extending his civic work beyond the council chamber.
A family business built on the vision of Darshan Singh Sandhu MBE, now led into its next chapter.
Nationwide residential and commercial property acquisitions, leveraging decades of market expertise built up across the family's business history.
Online business interests that extend the group's growth potential beyond its traditional property and telecommunications roots.
Mentoring and advisory services supporting the next generation of emerging business leaders.
The Sandhu Group traces its roots to Darshan Singh Sandhu MBE, whose business acumen and community involvement built the family's reputation in Dartford. Following his death, his sons Rags and Avtar inherited and expanded the family operations.
Avtar Sandhu is the current operational head of the family business, having distinguished himself through success in the telecommunications and property markets alongside his brother, Rags Sandhu. The family's guiding principle, that business success and community service go hand in hand, runs through both his commercial and civic work. Read more on The Sandhu Group page.
As Mayor, Cllr Sandhu has chosen three causes close to the borough to support throughout his civic year.
The ward Cllr Sandhu has represented on Dartford Borough Council since 2011.
Cllr Sandhu sits as a Local Conservatives councillor and has held his seat continuously since first being elected on 5 May 2011.
Before representing Wilmington, Sutton-at-Hone & Hawley, Cllr Sandhu represented the Brent and Newtown wards.
Reach Cllr Sandhu directly on council business, or follow along on social media.
For council records, meeting attendance and voting history: