Leadership Lessons with Jagtar Dhanda, Senior Director of Public Affairs at Mars

Peter Ferguson, Managing Consultant at Hanson Search, speaks with Jagtar Dhanda Senior Director of Public Affairs at Mars, about his journey into public affairs, the leadership qualities that matter most in 2025 and why patience, diplomacy and perspective remain the cornerstones of effective advocacy.

So how did you get into the world of public affairs and politics?

At university I studied Social Policy and Public Policy, where I developed an interest in how legislation and government decisions are made, beyond what we see in the media. After graduating I wanted a career in policy, campaigning and public affairs. I started at a very small human rights organisation, where I led the policy function. I then moved into a large cancer charity, then into the civil service and eventually the private sector.

Policy and government affairs have always been at the centre of my work, but what keeps it interesting is applying those skills in different sectors. Every role has taught me something new about influence and decision-making.

What do you think are the key qualities needed for leaders in public affairs in 2025?

For me, diplomacy is everything. It’s about how you build consensus and build consensus and work in partnership with colleagues to find common ground when you may have very different starting points to a problem or solution. You need the soft skills to know when to push, when to hold back and how to create genuine alignment internally. Success often means watching means watching others build and improve on an idea you first came up with. That’s a good thing as it means you’ve brought people with you.

What are the key challenges you’re facing in your role?

When you’re aligning strategy internally, responding to the speed of change in the outside world can be a real challenge. You have to react quickly to political changes while still bringing people with you. It’s also important to show the value of public affairs inside the organisation. The results don’t always come quickly or in a way that’s easy to measure; progress often happens in small steps over time. That’s why patience and resilience are essential, sometimes it feels like you’re starting again just as things begin to move forward. Perspective helps too. Politics moves quickly, a reshuffle, an election, a sudden change in priorities and you need to adapt without losing sight of where you’re heading.

How important is public affairs representation at board level?

Incredibly important. In every organisation I’ve worked in, having a senior corporate or government affairs leader at board level has been vital. They create the conditions for long-term policy engagement and give the rest of the leadership team a clear understanding of how external factors can shape internal priorities. Public affairs isn’t a backroom function, it’s strategic. Having that voice at the table helps the business anticipate policy risk and identify opportunities.

How do you see the public affairs landscape evolving over the next five years?

Public affairs is becoming more integral to business strategy. As the political and geopolitical environment becomes more fragmented, companies can’t afford to treat public affairs as an add-on. The traditional two-party system is breaking down and global instability is affecting everything from supply chains to hiring. Organisations that don’t anticipate these shifts will feel them in their commercial performance. I think we’ll see more businesses recognising public affairs as a critical part of risk management and long-term planning, linking political change and commercial reality.

What advice would you give to someone looking to build a career in public affairs or politics?

Network both internally and externally. Say yes to opportunities, attend events and stay curious. Relationships are the currency of this field. Take the time to learn the business you work in. Don’t assume your government affairs expertise automatically fits the company’s context. Every organisation has its own culture and priorities and you need to adapt your approach accordingly. Also, look outside your sector. Some of the best insights come from how others approach policy change. Borrow ideas, repackage them and apply them in new ways. And finally, stay informed. Read widely, follow the news and keep learning. The landscape changes daily, but that’s what makes it so dynamic.

Whether you’re hiring top Public Affairs talent or considering your next career move, our team would be delighted to support you.

Peter Ferguson is Managing Consultant in the Public Affairs Practice. Peter advises and supports some of the world’s most renowned communications consultancies, boutique public affairs agencies and global in-house clients.

Hanson Search is a globally recognised, award-winning talent advisory and headhunting consultancy. Our expertise lies in building successful ventures worldwide through our recruitment, interim and executive search in communications, sustainability, public affairs and policy, digital marketing and sales.