Who We Are
Scotland's top franchise operator
Who we are
We opened our first Starbucks store in December 2014, and now have 19 stores (14 are Drive Thru) across the East Coast of Scotland, with another 4 planned to open by the end of 2025. Our first M&S Food store opened in Battlefield, Glasgow, December 2023 and was followed by Stockbridge, Edinburgh, in July 2024. More store openings are planned for 2025 and beyond. Our first Regus Managed Service office, Cluny Court, Kirkaldy, opened in April 2025, and the new tenant for our office building in Dunfermline, Caledonia House, moves in at the end of the year.
We would like to hear from you if you have suitable property for sale or to let. Please follow the link to our Property Requirement page.
Our Team
Exploring together, our Leadership Team
Sean Geddes
Co-Owner & Managing Director
The Explorer Group, a company wholly-owned by Sean and his wife Stephanie, now includes the Starbucks operating company, a M&S Food operating company with a mandate to expand throughout Scotland, and a commercial property development company.
Sean Geddes
Co-Owner & Managing Director
The Explorer Group, a company wholly-owned by Sean and his wife Stephanie, now includes the Starbucks operating company, a M&S Food operating company with a mandate to expand throughout Scotland, and a commercial property development company.
Stephanie Geddes
Co-Owner & Legal Director
As well as Group Legal Director, Stephanie also manages the Group’s charitable arm, The Kennedy & Geddes Trust. Outside of the business, Stephanie is a keen sailor with off-shore racing often tempting her away from the office.
Eileen McBain
Finance Director
Eileen is now the Finance Director of The Explorer Group, running & developing a small & dynamic finance team.
Andy Hay
Operations Director
Andy joined the Burton & Speke board of directors in 2021. He now sits on the board of The Explorer Group, and leads the operations teams across the Group.
Paul Barker
Chief Information Officer & Board Advisor
Before taking up this role, Paul lived in Los Angeles for 16 years where he was Director of Cybersecurity & Technology Risk at one of the world’s largest fund management companies with over $2.3 trillion in assets.
Andy Brattesani
Board Advisor
Andy was appointed as non-executive Advisor to the Board of The Explorer Group in October 2022.
The leading owner & operator of premier franchises in Scotland
We have a proven track record of success, and we're committed to delivering a market leading experience
CAREERS
Join our rapidly growing team.
We're expanding our team and we're looking for talented individuals to join us. We offer a competitive salary and benefits packages, as well as opportunities for growth and development.
WORKING WITH US
Start your success story here.
We offer a variety of career paths, and we are always looking for new ways to reward and recognise contributions. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and respected.
The Kennedy & Geddes Trust
The Kennedy & Geddes Trust was set up by the Geddes family in March 2022 as a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation. It is entirely funded by donations from The Explorer Group.
In recognition of the hardship suffered by many following the COVID crisis, the Geddes family set up the Trust as a grant giving body to provide money to local organisations helping those in need in Scotland.
The Trustees chose to narrow the focus of their charitable aims to the promotion of education and the relief of poverty. The Trust particularly focuses on education as the trustees believe in the value of education, not so much as a means to an end, but as an end in itself. Education and an ability to learn, both improve quality of life at every age and increase the choices available to throughout life whether that be further education or employment.
This past year the Trust has been pleased to have donated to:
- Edinburgh School Uniform Bank
- The School Bank, West Lothian
- Dunedin School
- Dundee & Angus Food Bank
- East Lothian Food Bank
- Rowan Alba
- Edinburgh Food Project
- The Hygiene Bank, Falkirk & Edinburgh
- Fife Gingerbread
The Trust is happy to receive applications for funding from Scottish charities whose activities fit within our stated aims.