Wendy Annison leads the way in Solutions Architecture
Find out more
** DEFAULT postresults.teaserlabel - en-GB **
Head Office** DEFAULT postresults.contenttypelabel - en-GB **
Blog** DEFAULT postresults.publishdate - en-GB **
1/6/2020
** DEFAULT postresults.summarylabel - en-GB **
As the Business Change and Technology team remains a key focus area for growth at Mitchells & Butlers, we recently welcomed Wendy Annison as Solutions Architect. As a key driver for business change and improving the way, Mitchells & Butlers work, Wendy’s role is to identify potential solutions and make recommendations based on architecture principles and the technology strategy. We took the opportunity to get to know her over an interview. 3 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 is the professional description of your role? A solution architect translates requirements created by business analysts into the architecture for that solution and describes it through architecture and design artefacts. In Mitchells and Butlers Solution Architects are responsible for high-level designs and ensuring all stakeholders are comfortable with the proposed solutions. The solution 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 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 forge this career path? 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.
A job in hospitality isn't just for Christmas...
Find out more
** DEFAULT postresults.teaserlabel - en-GB **
Graduate** DEFAULT postresults.contenttypelabel - en-GB **
Blog** DEFAULT postresults.publishdate - en-GB **
1/6/2020
** DEFAULT postresults.summarylabel - en-GB **
Being a part of the Mitchells & Butlers family means you have the opportunity to make your mark. If you’ve got a can-do attitude and positive work ethic the possibilities for what you can achieve are endless. We caught up with Rebecca Clarke and Lauren Collier, who both joined us more than five years ago, to find out about their Mitchells & Butlers journey. First up is reward and policy manager Lauren Collier, who joined Mitchells & Butlers through the HR graduate scheme, who’s finding out the sky’s the limit! 2 Hi Lauren, tell us a little bit about your journey with Mitchells & Butlers. “Five years ago, I decided to join Mitchells & Butlers through the HR graduate scheme. It let me combine the buzz of hospitality with my passion for people. Since I have been involved in the integration of HR operation systems and have gained experience in a variety of training roles with a variety of nationally recognised brands. This gave me a fantastic range of experience, and meant I was able to progress to where I am today, a reward and policy manager.” How have Mitchells & Butlers helped your career progression?“The HR graduate scheme gave me access to best of breed training, the opportunity to network across the company and Mitchells & Butlers funded me to complete my Chartered Institute of Personnel Development (CIPD) qualification. This gave me all the tools to take charge of my own career.” What’s the best bit about working with Mitchells & Butlers?“The people. I get to work with amazing teams at the Retail Support Centre and work closely with the retail teams. It’s been really rewarding.” What are your future career goals?“The sky’s the limit! I’m not sure exactly on where my career path will take me but I know I have so many opportunities at Mitchells & Butlers so I’m really excited for things to come.” Next up it’s Rebecca Clarke, who joined us in 2013 as a team member at the Plough & Harrow and is now pricing and promotions manager at our Retail Support Centre. 2 Hi Rebecca, tell us a little bit about your journey with Mitchells & Butlers.“I first joined Mitchells & Butlers as a team member at the Plough & Harrow in Aldridge and progressed to team leader. During a training course at the Retail Support Centre, I discovered the Mitchells & Butlers finance graduate scheme. I was studying Maths and loved working in the pub so I thought this scheme was the perfect combination of the two! Starting as an analyst fours years ago, I’m now a pricing and promotions manager.” How have Mitchells & Butlers helped your career progression?“Mitchells & Butlers is a really flexible place to work. The rotations gave us the opportunity to test out various job roles in a short space of time, so that we could gain as much experience as possible before applying for full-time positions in a job that we knew we would enjoy. Achieving my Chartered Institute of Management Accountants qualification funded by Mitchells & Butlers was also a great opportunity to progress.” What’s the best bit about working with Mitchells & Butlers?“It’s great to be able to work on something everyone enjoys – eating and drinking!” What are your future career goals?“I am looking forward to progressing my career in finance at Mitchells & Butlers through to a head of finance role, and even possibly gain experience outside of the finance department in the future.”Looking for a new career? discover what we have on offer...
Try crunching these numbers
14,000
We serve around 14,000 tonnes of chips... which is the weight of 930 double decker buses!
380
Million
The number of drinks
we serve in a year.