​There will be a group of very excited local insurance brokers glued to the Winter Olympics next month. Andy Mortimer went to find out why . . .

Nicola Minichiello and Gillian Cooke

Former Marist College rugby union fly-half Bill Burnett has, in the past few months, lost two of his most treasured possessions. Firstly, he had his beloved Sky Sports taken away from him by his wife at his Willerby home and then – as if to add insult to injury – his office TV was removed by his boss at Henderson Insurance Brokers so it could take pride of place in reception.

As a keen armchair sports fan, it’s been something of a blow, particularly considering what is happening next month.

From 12th February, the Henderson-sponsored world champion women’s British bobsleigh team of Nicola Minichiello and Gillian Cooke will be taking part in the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Competing against the very best winter sports stars in the world, they will also show off the name of Henderson Insurance Brokers to a global audience.

Bill, of course, will not get much of a chance to see this from his office near Humberside Airport, in Kirmington, but it’s something he’s trying to make light of.

“I joined Henderson Insurance Brokers earlier this year after a long friendship with the owner, Joe Henderson,” he said.

“I was at Hull City Council before that and, by the time I had joined, the firm was already sponsoring the women’s bobsleigh team. And just think . . . I could have watched it all from my office in February.

“But I’m sure I’ll see the games somewhere. Everyone here is really excited about what’s going on – I think we’ve made a big difference to the team.”

Henderson first became associated with the women’s team in late 2008.

Already involved in a number of sponsorship deals with other local sporting groups – including Scunthorpe Speedway, Leeds Rhinos and Donington Park – chief executive Joe was keen to help out the bobsleigh team, led by Sheffield-born Nicola. He quickly contacted her and offered to help.

A few months later – with the backing of Henderson Insurance Brokers – they won gold in the World Championships in Lake Placid, in the US, and became the first British women ever to lift a global bobsleigh title. They were also the first Great Britain World gold medallists in the sport since 1965.

From left: Bill Burnett and Kimberly McGeachie, of Henderson Insurance Brokers, present the keys to a new Renault Espace to British bobsleigh duo Nicola Minichiello and Jo Manning at Humberside Airport, Kirmington

“We’d love to take credit for the girls winning the competition, but it’s obviously more to do with their hard work and talent,” laughed Bill, who, at his sporting peak, was a bulky 15-and-a-half-stone rugby player. Two knee replacements later and it’s easy to see why he’s more your typical armchair fan.

“But what we’ve done by investing money in them is take away the pressures surrounding the competitions.

“They know they have the equipment and they know they can get to their events and that means they can just focus on competing, which is hugely important.”

And in November, Henderson Insurance Brokers added another string to the bobsleigh bow by donating a vehicle – a three-litre Renault Espace – to the two-girl team.

This will be the team’s first vehicle and it will be branded with the Henderson logo.

“I’ve driven the car myself and it’s the bee’s knees,” said Bill.

“It’s a great car, although the leather seats could be interesting if the girls are wearing Lycra shorts. They may slip about a bit on the road . . . but I’m sure they will be fine.”

The Henderson insurance group is one of the UK’s leading insurance brokerages.

In addition to its base  in Kirmington – where Bill is head of human relations and training – it also has two offices in Leeds and one in Hessle, Peterborough, Stockton, Newcastle, Manchester and Ipswich.

Already a large firm in the UK, the current sponsorship deal will open the company to a much larger and more global market. But this is not the reason behind backing the team, says Bill.

He said: “At Henderson Insurance Brokers, we try to give something back to the communities in which we work.

“We have hosted the Henderson Yorkshire Sports Achiever Of The Year Awards for the past three years, which recognises success in sport in our area. Previous winners have included motorcycle racer James Toseland, and rugby league star Kevin Sinfield.

“Our chief executive Joe is also keen to help out younger children. A few years ago, when I was at Hull City Council, he worked with us to put on events in the summer holidays for local school pupils. He brought in the police, St John Ambulance and the fire brigade and the kids had the chance to learn about keeping safe during the holidays.

“The whole thing was funded by Joe and it’s just one example of the input he has in the community.”

What attracted the group to helping out the bobsleigh team in particular?

“The bobsleigh is a minority sport and the women’s team doesn’t get much coverage or funding,” said Bill.

“It was partly a case of being in the right place at the right time and the fact Joe likes to see people progress. This is the ethos of this business and the community work we strive to do through the firm also.”

Nicola Minichiello said: “The support Henderson Insurance Brokers has given us is absolutely fantastic.

“We are a great team, but coming from a non-alpine nation, it’s so hard to compete with the rest.

“Henderson Insurance Brokers has given us the vehicle and extra equipment, which is fundamental to our success and gives us the capability to continue to compete at a high level.”

Joe and the team at Hendersons will obviously be glued to the TV during the Winter Olympics; if the girls are successful, the rest of the nation will be, too.