BALANCING THE ACT

VARUN JAIPURIA'S FOCUS REMAINS FIRMLY ON THE LONG-TERM GOAL OF CREATING SUSTAINABLE VALUE.

- BY ASHUTOSH KUMAR

ZIPPING DOWN THE broad, tree-lined avenues of Lutyens' Delhi—shaded by sacred fig, banyan, and jamun trees—it's easy to mistake Jaipuria House on the A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Road for just another government bungalow, the kind allotted to ministers or senior bureaucrats. But the modest gates open to a driveway leading to a lush lawn where stone-sculpted busts of Gautam Buddha and other artefacts play hide and seek among trees. Alongside the lawn is the stately residence and a glass house of the Jaipuria family, promoters of Varun Beverages Ltd, one of PepsiCo's largest global franchisees outside the U.S., having revenues to the tune of ₹20,008 crore.

As you walk into the bungalow's living room, you're greeted by a more eclectic collection of artefacts inspired by African and Southeast Asian art, and awe-inspiring paintings adorned wall to wall. Varun Jaipuria, promoter, executive vice chairman and whole-time director of Varun Beverages, tells Fortune India with a smile that while sketching, cooking, and sports are among his personal hobbies, art is a shared passion that runs deep in the family. “Art is a good investment, too,” he quips.

But Jaipuria finds real euphoria in spearheading his company to new heights. His vision—create “long-term, sustainable value for the company, investors, and people”. “I am the third generation [entrepreneur], and a very hardcore operator. But I need to ensure that by the time my innings is done, I have structured the company so well that for the next 100 years, my systems and processes are so strong that they are taken care of,” he says.