Leo Houlding, left, with Berghaus brand president Richard Cotter

Top climber and adventurer Leo Houlding has signed a five-year extension to his current sponsorship with outdoor company Berghaus.

The firm said Cumbria-based Houlding will play a hands-on role in the development of products and will undertake a series of expeditions supported by Berghaus.

The star of the Al Lee film the Asgard Project, Houlding has been associated with Berghaus for 13 years, since he was 17.

With the 2009 Asgard Project he increased his role in the development of the company’s products.  During his climb of the mountain on Baffin Island, Leo tested prototypes for a new climbing garment as part of a new innovation team called MtnHaus.

The resulting Mount Asgard Smock is now a product in the Berghaus range.  Under the terms of the new contract, Houlding will maintain a close involvement in the design, development and testing of the company’s most technical kit.

He said: “I’ve been associated with Berghaus for half of my life and I have always been grateful for the support that the company has given me, through good times and bad.

“I’m delighted that we have agreed this new long term contract. It allows me to press ahead with doing my thing, on my terms, with more security. It also gives me more opportunities to influence the development of new and even better products for me and my fellow climbers.”

Richard Cotter, Berghaus brand president, added: “Leo has been an important and dynamic member of the Berghaus team for many years now.

“Calling the relationship a sponsorship agreement really doesn’t do it justice. Like our chairman Sir Chris Bonington and our other athletes, Leo makes significant contributions to the business. His informed and constructive input into the product development process is paying real dividends, particularly for our MtnHaus team.

“Alongside that, Leo provides us with some wonderful stories and images that demonstrate what Berghaus means at its best and that have been the lifeblood of the brand for over 40 years. It’s fantastic news that we’ve reached an agreement that will see Leo continuing to represent Berghaus and help shape our future success on a world stage.”