The 100 NRIs – 2026: Sunny Varkey, Founder and Executive Chairman, GEMS Education Group
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This article forms part of The 100 NRIs, a special edition by Entrepreneur Middle East spotlighting the most influential non-resident Indians shaping business, innovation, and investment across the region.
Based in Dubai, Sunny Varkey is the Founder and Executive Chairman of GEMS Education Group, a leading global provider of private K–12 education. He is a renowned education entrepreneur and dedicated philanthropist. He oversees GEMS Education, the world’s largest operator of private K-12 schools and whose international education footprint extends to 52 schools across the UAE, Qatar and Egypt, delivering a consistent, dynamic, high-quality education for every child.
In 2025, the organisation welcomed over 1,700 new teachers in Dubai, a milestone Varkey regarded as a significant turning point in educational innovation. Since taking over the family’s single school in 1980, Varkey has transformed GEMS into the largest non-governmental operator of private schools worldwide. Originally from Kerala, India, he moved to Dubai in 1959 and began expanding his parents’ institution, establishing an educational empire that now caters to approximately 140,000 students from over 150 countries. Under his leadership, GEMS Education has grown significantly across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, with more than 60 schools in countries such as the UAE, Egypt, Libya, Jordan, and Kenya. The organisation’s reach extends internationally to Singapore, Uganda, the United States, and Switzerland, reflecting its global footprint and commitment to delivering high-quality education.
Beyond business, Varkey founded the Varkey Foundation, which aims to improve global education standards. The foundation is renowned for creating the prestigious US$1 million Global Teacher Prize, recognising excellence in teaching worldwide. As a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, he advocates for quality education and social development. He is also a signatory of The Giving Pledge, committing to donate a significant portion of his wealth to philanthropic causes focused on education and social upliftment. In 2024, GEMS Education launched its ‘Family First’ programme, in line with Dubai’s Social Agenda 33, which aims to strengthen family values through its curriculum and community initiatives.
Related: Entrepreneur Middle East Reveals “The 100 NRIs” List
This article forms part of The 100 NRIs, a special edition by Entrepreneur Middle East spotlighting the most influential non-resident Indians shaping business, innovation, and investment across the region.
Based in Dubai, Sunny Varkey is the Founder and Executive Chairman of GEMS Education Group, a leading global provider of private K–12 education. He is a renowned education entrepreneur and dedicated philanthropist. He oversees GEMS Education, the world’s largest operator of private K-12 schools and whose international education footprint extends to 52 schools across the UAE, Qatar and Egypt, delivering a consistent, dynamic, high-quality education for every child.
In 2025, the organisation welcomed over 1,700 new teachers in Dubai, a milestone Varkey regarded as a significant turning point in educational innovation. Since taking over the family’s single school in 1980, Varkey has transformed GEMS into the largest non-governmental operator of private schools worldwide. Originally from Kerala, India, he moved to Dubai in 1959 and began expanding his parents’ institution, establishing an educational empire that now caters to approximately 140,000 students from over 150 countries. Under his leadership, GEMS Education has grown significantly across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, with more than 60 schools in countries such as the UAE, Egypt, Libya, Jordan, and Kenya. The organisation’s reach extends internationally to Singapore, Uganda, the United States, and Switzerland, reflecting its global footprint and commitment to delivering high-quality education.
