Michael Rhodes has been announced as the overall winner of the Excellence in Action annual award at Leeds Building Society.

The prize, worth £1,000, goes to the Society colleague who has consistently excelled throughout the year and performed at a level beyond their role.

Rhodes (pictured) is the mutual’s service desk manager and last year won a Council of Mortgage Lenders’ (CML) competition to find rising stars of the industry.

He was nominated for his latest award by Kelly Shippen, head of contact centres, who said: “Michael’s reputation and the praise he receives from across the Society is exceptional. His work ethic and commitment to improving our business, his team and himself can be seen in everything he does.”

Tom Brannigan, operational change manager in Business Support, added: “Michael’s passion for his role and the Society is second to none, and this is what I find the most inspiring aspect of his personality. He is never shy to face up to daunting challenges, not least his success at the CML conference in front of a VIP audience including our own chief executive.”

Rhodes said: “To be nominated for this award was an honour. I am totally overwhelmed to have been recognised in this manner and would like to thank everyone for supporting me during the 10 years I have been at the Society.

“I really do hope that I have helped all of them in return, providing them with the support and development they deserve. I believe the phrase that best describes all of our colleagues, and expressed early on in the awards presentation, is that everyone’s a winner.”