Top of the class

If a school is judged by its students' success and the universities they attend, then GEMS academies are leading the field. Many of their students have obtained places at some of the world's top universities; an achievement that Varkey is particularly proud of.

"We have lots of children going to some of the best Ivy League universities in the world, from Oxford to Cambridge to Harvard. Some of the children have the option to go to five or six of the best Ivy universities."

Emphasising his faith in GEMS, Varkey sent his own children to one of the schools when they were aged between 11 and 12. They then studied at Winchester College in the UK, before moving to the University of Sheffield and the University of Edinburgh respectively.

Varkey claims sending them to schools abroad provided a more rounded education.

"You want your children to have the best. The Winchesters of the world are six or seven hundred years old so I can't say my schools are better than those - at least I couldn't when my children were sent to GEMS."

If faced with the same choice today, Varkey insists he wouldn't send his children anywhere else but GEMS. His statement is backed by his claim that GEMS schools can compete with the top 5% of UK faculties for exam results.

Having completed their education, Varkey's children now work with him, making GEMS a third-generation business. The chief executive says he is keen to ensure the business retains its family spirit, insisting profit isn't the only driving force.

To a degree, this is reflected in GEMS schools' fees, which despite being pricey still offer cheaper rates than many US and European faculties.

The company's newest school, GEMS World Academy (GWA), is reasonably expensive at US$15,000 to US$27,200 a year, but there are several scholarships available to children whose parents can't afford the fees.

"We have lots of scholarships in our schools," says Varkey. "We have approximately 300 children who receive free education and we're a big supporter of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed's initiative for ‘Dubai Cares' [a charity that helps provide education to the poor]. If we have any parent who comes to us in need of support we take that very seriously."

His efforts to provide a superior education service have been noticed, with Varkey receiving the Rajiv Ghandi Award. He describes the accolade, given in memory of one of India's former prime ministers, as a great tribute.

"Being selected was a big honour and being acknowledged in this industry makes one proud and humble at the same time," Varkey says. "Also, these recognitions help people to strive even further for excellence. It was a great honour and a special award."

He may be picking up awards, but Varkey isn't about to rest on his laurels. Indeed, with regular challenges keeping him busy, relaxing is the last thing on his mind.

For instance, a typical issue involves ensuring newly-built schools are ready for the start of an academic year. Failure to hit the deadline would result in the schools staying closed for the following 12 months - not that it's ever happened to Varkey.

Throughout his tenure at GEMS, Varkey has prided himself on overcoming all obstacles and developing the family business. Much of his present success he attributes to an unflagging buoyancy and self belief.

"I am a big believer in God, so I think that is the first thing. Thank God for that," Varkey laughs. "This is about having a good team, hard work, being focused, thinking positively and being optimistic. I always say, ‘be humble, be simple, be sociable and be charitable'. If the world has been kind to you, be kind to it. I always say, ‘where there's a will there's a way'."

With more than 100 schools across the globe, GEMS has made a significant impact on education. And while Varkey has orchestrated the company's development, he believes Dubai's government should take some of the credit.

Indeed, Varkey is grateful for the UAE leaders' vision, claiming he has played a minor role in developing Dubai's education sector (a modest suggestion considering he runs more than 20% of the emirate's schools).

Varkey's attempts to bring schooling into a capitalist world may draw criticism from those who believe education should be free. But he insists parents willing to spend money to ensure their children receive the best education will disagree. He also explains how even his least expensive schools offer an excellent standard of education. "Traditionally, the education has been not-for-profit and totally not customer driven," Varkey states.

"The governments own 98% of the schools in the world and the not-for-profit schools go to parents for donations by holding fundraisings and so on.

"The industry that I am in is very different [to how it was]. Today, you see more people coming into the private sector. In fact, today the growth sector is the private sector, which is growing much faster than anything else. We at GEMS are totally customer driven and focused on excellence."

A capitalist and yet active humanitarian, Varkey is seemingly ruled by contradictions and conflicting interests. Faith and circumstance have contributed to his success and happiness, with the self-acknowledged optimist relying on just his business acumen from an early age.

Varkey's father died in 1984 when he was in his mid-20s, though he describes his mother as being ‘still very much with him'. Does Varkey think his mother is proud of his achievements? "I guess so. I guess so," he says quietly.

"I put my heart and soul into the business. With both my parents being teachers, I guess it's in our genes," Varkey asserts.

"But if you look at what other people have achieved in other industries we still have a long way to go."

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