Independent specialist (re)insurer at Lloyd’s, Apollo Syndicate Management has announced a new leadership structure for its specie and cargo business and well and two key appointments joining its underwriting team.

Richard Panter joins the firm as head of specie and cargo at Apollo Syndicate 1969, reporting to Paul Letherbarrow, head of aviation and member of the executive committee.

He brings over 37 years broking and underwriting experience and most recently served as head of fine art and jewellers block at AXA XL. Prior to that, he held senior roles at Catlin and XL Catlin for more than 15 years.

Charlotte Wilson joins the business as head of fine art and deputy head of specie and will report directly to Panter.

Most recently she was global head of portfolio solutions at AXA XL where she focused on strategy development and new business opportunities.

Between 2002 and 2019, Wilson also held a range of senior positions at Catlin (later XL Catlin), including fine art and specie underwriter and underwriting manager.

Ian Morton serves as head of jewellers block and deputy head of specie and will also report directly to Panter.

He joined Apollo’s cargo and specie team in 2017 and before that was a senior underwriter at AEGIS Syndicate for seven years.

Additionally, Chris Terry is head of cargo, reporting to Panter and has been deputy class underwriter for cargo and specie at Apollo Syndicate 1969 since 2012.

Prior to Apollo, Terry was an assistant underwriter at Chaucer Syndicates between 2007 and 2012.

Panter and Wilson will join Apollo Syndicate 1969 upon completion of their current contractual obligations.

David Ibeson, group CEO at Apollo, said: “We have identified a range of opportunities in the improving specie and cargo market, which complement Apollo’s growth plans. Apollo’s specie and cargo team has produced a strong result thus far and Richard, Charlotte, Ian and Chris all have exceptional knowledge and experience to bring to the Syndicate, we are pleased to have attracted such talent. Their extensive market relationships, combined with both the growing talent within Apollo and the analytical and actuarial capabilities of our team, are set to consolidate our position as one of the strongest specie and cargo units at Lloyd’s. I am therefore very pleased to welcome Richard and Charlotte to Apollo.”