A "ROLE model" has been named head office employee of the year at Skipton Financial Services.

Ben Smith (pictured), an adviser in the technical department who joined the company as a school-leaver in 2006, was chosen ahead of 200 other staff to win the award at SFS, which is part of the Skipton Building Society Group.

With support from his employer, Ben has achieved 15 professional qualifications, including his CII Diploma in Financial Planning.

He won the award for constantly going out of his way to help others and consistently showing fairness to his colleagues and clients.

Andrew Barker, SFS managing director, said: “Ben is a role model to everyone at Skipton Financial Services. This is a prime example of someone showing a ‘can do’ mindset which epitomises his attitude to work, especially as he has gone out of his way to help so many different people within the business. I would like to say a huge well done to Ben and thank him again for all his efforts in 2014.”

Ben said “I am very proud to have won Employee of the Year for 2014 and am happy that my efforts were recognised within a company where so many people have contributed to our success. It is also great to have won the award with SFS, who have continued to support my career and personal development since I started here from school.”