Male and female sitting at table looking at laptop in office

Meet Wendy: Driving business change as M&B’s new Solutions Architect

Meet Wendy: Driving business change as M&B’s new Solutions Architect

Lucy  Chapman our consultant managing the role
Date posted: 01/11/2024

With Business Change and Technology being a big focus for growth at Mitchells & Butlers, we’re excited to welcome Wendy Annison as our new Solutions Architect. 

Wendy is here to drive business change and help us work smarter by identifying solutions that fit our tech strategy. We sat down with her recently to learn more about her role and what she brings to the team.

Firstly, what is a Solutions Architect? And how would you describe it to a 4-year-old?

“A Solutions Architect is the person who balances what all the different people want and designs a solution which best gives everyone what they need. 

We have to understand how all the different pieces of a solution should fit together to make one big picture. Then we make sure everyone understands and is happy with how the picture looks. 

Once everyone is happy we make sure that things are built correctly and delivered to the people who need to use it.”

What does a Solutions Architect job description look like in your role?

“A Solutions Architect translates requirements created by business analysts into the architecture for that solution and describes it through architecture and design artefacts. 

At M&B Solutions Architects are responsible for high-level designs and ensuring all stakeholders are comfortable with the proposed solutions. 

The Solutions Architect identifies potential solutions and makes recommendations based on architecture principles and the technology strategy. The architect then oversees delivery and deployment of the solution.”

What is your vision for your Solutions Architecture work at Mitchells & Butlers?

“I’m only a few months into my role here at M&B so I’m still formulating my vision. I’m interested in getting under the hood of some of the applications, especially those which are used company-wide. I’m hoping to get involved in the application roadmaps and overall technology strategy.” 

How did you get started as a Solutions Architect?

“I trained as a Programmer when I left university and I soon realised that I enjoy finding solutions which help people do their job. 

I spent several years as an Analyst and Programmer before moving on to managing integration and ERP solutions. This led me into Solution Architecture and I haven’t looked back since.” 

When did you discover your passion for technology?

“For me, technology is not an end unto itself. Technology exists to help people; whether that is to do their job better or simply live a fuller life. That is what I really love, applying technology and being able to see a positive impact on someone’s life.” 

Which pub or restaurant do you spend most time in and what is ‘your usual’?

“My favourite M&B pub is my local Miller and Carter. I’m not sure that I can claim to have usual because there are so many delicious things on the menu, but I do have a weakness for a medium-rare rib-eye steak.”

And finally, why are you excited about being part of the Mitchells & Butlers team?

“M&B is a great challenge for me. I have worked in retail and manufacturing so working in hospitality is a whole new world

M&B was recommended to me as a great place to work by two of my old colleagues and I am really pleased to have been able to join. I am especially excited to be working with cloud technologies and being part of building on the innovative technology agenda.”

Drive change in a Solutions Architect job at M&B 

Wendy Annison’s passion for problem-solving and her fresh perspective are already making waves here at M&B! As she digs into our tech strategy and finds ways to connect the dots across our systems, her vision for smart, seamless solutions is set to bring even more efficiency and innovation to how we work.

Wendy’s focus on using tech to actually improve daily life is the kind of mindset that keeps M&B an exciting place to grow and evolve.

You too can drive change. Join us in an IT job today

List #1

Some articles you might like

smiling lady on laptop sitting at pub
The dos and don'ts when writing your hospitality CV

Teaser

Bar and Waiting

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

10/07/2024

Summary

So, the job search is on. Many people dread the process and see it as a race to the finish line where they’ll receive the prize of a job. While that should be your ultimate goal, there’s no sens

Teaser

CV writing a chance to figure out your core skills, which pub and restaurant job is right for you and which type of company you want to work at.

Find out more
Sue Bayley

by

Sue Bayley

Sue Bayley

by

Sue Bayley

image of rich from m&b
From summer job to Head Office: Rich's journey at M&B

Teaser

Head Office

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

08/09/2024

Summary

Meet Rich, one of our many success stories at M&B, whose journey from a temporary summer role to a key position in our head office is nothing short of inspiring.  What started as a short stint in

Teaser

Find out more
Sophie Dawson

by

Sophie Dawson

Sophie Dawson

by

Sophie Dawson

head office jobs at M&B - sales person on phone call sitting at their desk
Cheers to new beginnings: 4 top jobs at the M&B head office

Teaser

Head Office

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

06/26/2024

Summary

Are you ready to take your career to the next level? Let’s raise a toast to new beginnings and exciting job opportunities at our Head Office.  Our Head Office at Mitchells and Butlers is the hub

Teaser

Find out more
Rebecca Skeet

by

Rebecca Skeet

Rebecca Skeet

by

Rebecca Skeet

keith pictured in a pub holding an award and a bottle of alcohol
Keith explains how M&B has been supportive of the LGBTQ+ community

Teaser

Culture

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

06/18/2024

Summary

To celebrate National Coming Out Day this year, we spoke to several people at M&B to hear about their experience, including Keith Meadows who works at The Hesketh Arms Pub & Restaurant. Keith is o

Teaser

Find out more
Rachel Weaver

by

Rachel Weaver

Rachel Weaver

by

Rachel Weaver

image of isobel - temporary summer job turned HR Graduate
Discover exciting temporary summer jobs with M&B: an interview with Isobel

Teaser

General

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

06/05/2024

Summary

Are you looking for a fun, fulfilling temp summer job that fits around your plans? Look no further than Mitchells & Butlers!  We sat down with Isobel Crisswell, our HR Graduate who started as a s

Teaser

Find out more
Rebecca Skeet

by

Rebecca Skeet

Rebecca Skeet

by

Rebecca Skeet

2023 written with sparklers
3 resolutions that will help you land a job in the new year

Teaser

General

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

12/30/2022

Summary

The New Year is the perfect time to set some resolutions. Why? Because with Christmas behind you, it's easy to fall into a new year slump and ask yourself if you're in the right job. Setting

Teaser

Find out more
Scott Neilson

by

Scott Neilson

Scott Neilson

by

Scott Neilson

Meet Lynn Lyness: our longest serving employee of 50 years!

Teaser

Head Office

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

07/12/2022

Summary

Do you remember when M&B was simply a brewery? Well, there is one person who does and that is our longest serving employee Lynn Lyness, who this month, will be celebrating her 50-year anniversar

Teaser

Do you remember when M&B was simply a brewery? Well, there is one person who does and that is our longest serving employee Lynn Lyness, who this month, will be celebrating her 50-year anniversary working for us!

Find out more
Steven Miles

by

Steven Miles

Steven Miles

by

Steven Miles

glass building with a sign reading Mitchells & Butlers
Bring your expertise and love of hospitality together with a job at M&B HQ

Teaser

Head Office

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

07/06/2022

Summary

When you think of a job in hospitality what are the first thoughts that pop into your head? Serving up tasty dishes? Pouring drinks behind a bar? Waiting on tables? We thought so! And you wouldn’t

Teaser

Find out more
Steph Bull

by

Steph Bull

Steph Bull

by

Steph Bull

man outside brick building along a concrete paved street
Why is it a great time to look for a job in Birmingham?

Teaser

General

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

05/17/2022

Summary

The moment the Second City has been waiting for is fast approaching. Birmingham is set to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games for the first time, putting us right up there with previous hosting cities, l

Teaser

Find out more
Amandeep Chahal

by

Amandeep Chahal

Amandeep Chahal

by

Amandeep Chahal

Lou Cooper from Mitchells & Butlers
Lou's experience of working with Multiple Sclerosis at M&B

Teaser

Culture

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

05/12/2022

Summary

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) awareness week took place between 25 April and 1 May to help us shine a light on multiple sclerosis, an invisible condition affecting 130,000 people in the UK. MS affects

Teaser

We recently spoke to Lou about her experience of working with the uncertainties of MS

Find out more
Amandeep Chahal

by

Amandeep Chahal

Amandeep Chahal

by

Amandeep Chahal

Jobs

Jobs you might like...

Service Desk Team Leader

Salary

Competitive Salary plus bonus

Location

Birmingham, B3 1JP

Departments

IT

Hours

Full Time

Vacancy Type

Head office role

Brand

Mitchells & Butlers

Location

Birmingham

Description

We have an exciting permanent opportunity within our Service & Systems Support Team as a Service Desk Team Leader. In this role, you will be responsible for managing the 1st Line Helpdesk Service – th

Reference

2350119

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

Apply Add to shortlist
Building Surveyor

Salary

Competitive Salary plus bonus, plus company car, mobile working

Location

Chelmsford, CM2 6AD

Departments

Property

Hours

Full Time

Vacancy Type

Head office role

Brand

Mitchells & Butlers

Location

Chelmsford

Description

Are you a Chartered Building Surveyor with proven experience in Building and Facilities? If so, we have a great opportunity for you. (This role is known internally as Area Building Manager) Joining a

Reference

2349525

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

Apply Add to shortlist
Quantity Surveyor

Salary

Competitive Salary plus bonus, plus company car, mobile working

Location

Birmingham, B3 1JP

Departments

Property

Hours

Full Time

Vacancy Type

Head office role

Brand

Mitchells & Butlers

Location

Birmingham

Description

Are you a chartered Quantity Surveyor with a real passion for offering expert advice on construction costs? If so, we have a fantastic hybrid opportunity for a highly skilled professional looking to f

Reference

2321680

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

Apply Add to shortlist
 

job search