Insurance boss splashes out £500k on staff party

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A generous insurance boss spent more than £500,000 throwing an office party for his staff - which even featured a concert by Olly Murs.

Millionaire Henry Engelhardt, 56, invited more than 5,000 people from his company Admiral to the free party at the Millennium Stadium, in Cardiff, Wales, the Daily Mail reports.

The stadium was turned into a fairytale wonderland with Harry Potter and Alice in Wonderland themes - and chief executive Engelhardt dressed up as Prince Charming for the event.

The climax of the night was an hour-long show by X Factor star Olly Murs who later mingled with office workers until the early hours.

One worker said: 'Henry really knows how to party - it was one of the best nights ever.

'We knew it was going to be an extravaganza but everyone was blown away when we walked into the stadium.'

There were also a Cinderella Ballroom and an Arabian nights area complete with magic carpet rides.

Jazz bands, jugglers, clowns on stilts and the No Fit State circus were employed for the evening to keep guests entertained while a zip wire for staff to fly across the stadium was installed.

Workers were given tokens for free drinks and food at the party from 6pm until 11.30pm.

However, it carried on until the early hours at nearby Tiger Tiger nightclub where staff had free entry and more free drinks.

Another worker at the South Wales based insurance giant said: 'We only have the party once every two years but it is worth waiting for.

Chicago born Engelhardt, a father-of-four who lives in Cardiff told staff the party was a reward for all the hard work they put in.

The Admiral Group is one of the largest employers in South Wales with 5,000 staff on their books.

The company is building a giant £60m headquarters in the heart of the Welsh capital.

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