Four new trustees have been appointed to the board of the Victorian Society following its annual meeting in Llandudno.

The national charity, which campaigns to protect Victorian and Edwardian buildings and architecture, made the appointments at its Annual General Meeting in the town on Thursday, 25 September.

Tom Ashley, Anna Dewsnap, Dr Sarah Flew and Andrew Willetts will bring experience covering architectural conservation, historic buildings and collections, philanthropy, fundraising, finance and charity governance.

The appointments come as the Society says Victorian and Edwardian buildings across the country face increasing pressure from development, changes of use and the cost of maintaining historic properties.

Tom Ashley is Head of Cathedrals and Major Church Buildings for the Church of England and previously worked as a conservation adviser for the Victorian Society. He has also worked on the conservation and future of historic churches and cathedrals.

Anna Dewsnap is a curator and heritage consultant with more than 20 years' experience in the arts, historic houses and heritage sectors. She was formerly Head of House and Collections at Harewood House and now advises on collections, historic interiors and cultural heritage.

Dr Sarah Flew is an economic historian specialising in the financing of religious and philanthropic institutions in nineteenth-century Britain. Her research includes the funding of church building during the Victorian period. She is also Director of Development at the Royal College of Physicians.

The fourth new trustee, Andrew Willetts, is a Chartered Accountant who has held senior financial and commercial positions across a number of sectors, including healthcare, retail and charities. He becomes the Society's new Finance Trustee.

He succeeds Lynn Pearcy, who is standing down after ten years on the board.

The Society's Director, James Hughes, said the four appointments would strengthen the organisation at a time when Victorian and Edwardian buildings continue to face significant pressures.

He also paid tribute to Ms Pearcy for her decade of service and her work overseeing the Society's finances.

The Victorian Society is the national charity campaigning for the protection of Victorian and Edwardian architecture. It provides advice on threatened buildings and planning proposals and works with local authorities, churches and members of the public to help protect historic buildings.

Its work is particularly relevant in towns and cities across North Wales, where Victorian and Edwardian buildings form an important part of the built environment.

The Society's decision to hold its annual meeting in Llandudno also puts the town's own Victorian heritage in the spotlight.

Much of Llandudno's character comes from its development as a Victorian seaside resort, with its planned streets, terraces, hotels and distinctive architecture helping to define the town's identity today.

The new trustees will now begin working with the Society's existing board and staff as it continues its work to protect and promote the country's Victorian and Edwardian heritage.