When it comes to backing great causes, UWS alumnus Mike Smith doesn’t just show up — he steps up. The business graduate is calling on the entire UWS community — students, staff and fellow alumni — to become ‘Yellow Yogis’ this September in support of Beatson Cancer Charity.
A graduate from the BA Business Economics degree programme, today, Mike is Group CEO of the orb group, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of branded merchandise, corporate clothing and point-of-sale solutions. With offices in Glasgow and London he works with powerhouse brands including Tunnock’s, Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, Scottish Power and Arnold Clark.
But beyond business success, it’s his long-standing commitment to cancer charities that truly defines him. Mike has supported the Beatson since the 1980s, serving on fundraising committees and now acting as a Beatson Business Ambassador. His latest mission? To combine his passion for yoga with his determination to make a tangible difference.
Mike said: “The aim is to create something that makes a genuinely big difference. I’ve practised yoga for years and have seen how powerful it can be for both mental and physical wellbeing. So, I’m asking the entire UWS community to get involved and support the vital work carried out in the Beatson’s Wellbeing Centre.”
The Yellow Yogis event will take place on 13 September where thousands of people will gather at Glasgow’s SEC for one of the largest indoor yoga sessions in the UK — all in aid of Beatson Cancer Charity.
Led by internationally recognised instructor Finlay Wilson, aka The Kilted Yogi, and hosted by renowned TV and radio presenter Jenny Powell, Yellow Yogis promises to be an uplifting, high-energy, feel-good event with serious impact.
Tickets are £35, with all funds supporting the Beatson Cancer Charity’s Wellbeing Centre — a vital calm space within The Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre where patients and families can relax, connect and access essential emotional and practical support during treatment.
Participants will receive a Yellow Yogis mat, take part in a one-hour accessible session suitable for all abilities, and enjoy additional activities designed to create a sense of fun, camaraderie and mindfulness. Mike and the Beatson team want you to get involved.
The goal is bold: to raise £250,000 to directly support the Wellbeing Centre.
Yellow Yogis takes place on 13 September 2026 at the SEC, Glasgow. Tickets cost £35. For more information, visit: www.yellowyogis.co.uk