Alumni Stories

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, s...

A University of the West of Scotland (UWS) alumnus has been awarded an MBE in the King’s New Year’s Honours list for 2026. Mark McCulloch, who graduated from the BA Marketing programme at the then University of Paisley (now UWS), has been awarded an MBE for his outstanding contribution to marketing and the UK hospitality sector. “I’m absolutely over the moon,” commented Mark. “The foundations laid during my time at UWS played a meaningful part in the journey that has led to this honour, and I remain genuinely proud to be a graduate of the university.” Mark McCulloch MBE, BA Marketing 1999 Graduating in 1999 from the Paisley Campus, Mark is considered one of the leading food, drink and hospitality brand and marketing minds in Europe. He has more than 20 years' brand, marketing, ...