About Us
Who we are
What began as a single mission to supply high-quality valves to the oil and gas industry has grown into something much more ambitious. Over the last 28 years, ACV has expanded and evolved into a comprehensive valve and automation solutions provider, with more than 80 employees across our UK and Netherlands facilities.
Today, ACV is an international valve and automation company that delivers exactly what customers need at every stage of their projects – everything from stock to solutions. Our reach spans industries such as Oil and Gas, Petrochemical, Nuclear, Hydrogen, and many more.
Working closely with industry-leading manufacturers and suppliers, we solve challenges that keep our customers up at night; fast-tracked stock for supply emergencies, handling complex specifications with our industry knowledge and expertise, eliminating long factory lead times, and managing specialised applications that demand custom solutions. Our success is built on lasting partnerships based on both trust and proven results, ensuring safe, efficient, and reliable outcomes for every requirement.
Benefits
- Europe’s largest valve and actuator stock holding for immediate delivery
- 25+ years of application expertise for media-specific guidance and technical support
- Trusted relationships with industry-leading manufacturing partners for quality and reliability
- Valve and automation packages for integrated solutions
- Valve and actuator sourcing to suit your specific requirements
- In-house engineering and custom manufacturing for specialised requirements
- Complete testing facilities and certification for compliance needs
- Bespoke pipe skid design and build for integrated systems
- End-to-end project management to handle complex requirements
Our people
Our leadership team combines deep technical expertise with a customer-first approach, supporting engineers with precision and helping procurement achieve reliable, compliant, cost-effective project outcomes.
Group Directors
Nick Flint
Managing Director
Jessica Findell
Finance Director
Gary Plant
Group Sales Director
Nick Flint
Managing Director
Nick founded AC Valves & Controls in 1997, building it into the AC Valve Alliance group and leading the business for nearly three decades. As Managing Director, he brings extensive industry experience from Marwin Controls, Orbit Valves, and Ball Valves UK. His strategic leadership and commercial focus continue to drive the group’s growth, capability, and customer value.
Jessica Findell
Finance Director
Jessica joined AC Valve Alliance in 2007 as a Document Controller before supporting the launch of Air Torque in an administrative role. She later advanced into accounts, developing her expertise across finance and operations. As Finance Director, Jessica brings versatility, reliability, and broad company knowledge to the role, ensuring strong financial oversight and supporting the group’s continued growth.
Gary Plant
Group Sales Director
Gary brings over 40 years of valve-industry experience and has spent nearly two decades driving commercial growth at AC Valve Alliance. As Group Sales Director, he combines technical expertise with strategic sales leadership, offering comprehensive insight into customer requirements and delivering high-value solutions that strengthen performance and long-term project success.
Stefan Stringer
Commercial Director
Harry Flint
Operations Director
Simon Boxall
Projects Director
Drew Prescott
Export Sales Director
Stefan Stringer
Commercial Director
Stefan brings more than 10 years of experience across sales, operations, and international valve supply, progressing from warehouse roles through to Commercial Director. His background spans technical sales, commercial management, and global customer support, giving him a strong command of market needs and product capabilities. Stefan drives commercial strategy across the group, ensuring competitive solutions, reliable delivery, and long-term customer value.
Harry Flint
Operations Director
Harry has over a decade of experience within AC Valve Alliance, progressing from Internal Sales Engineer to Operations Director. With a background spanning operations management, logistics, and customer support, he ensures the seamless movement of stock, orders, and project deliveries. Harry’s operational oversight, product knowledge, and service-focused approach help maintain reliability, efficiency, and strong customer satisfaction across the group.
Simon Boxall
Projects Director
Simon brings over 15 years of technical, engineering, and project-delivery experience across valves, actuation, and complex specifications. Promoted to Projects Director in 2024, he continues to lead the Projects Team, ensuring high-quality customer support from quotation through to delivery and final documentation. His engineering background and project expertise allow him to streamline processes, resolve challenges, and deliver reliable, customer-focused outcomes.
Drew Prescott
Export Sales Director
Drew brings over 18 years of valve and actuation experience, progressing from Sales Engineer to Export Sales Director. He leads international sales strategy and played a vital part in the successful launch of ACV Europe BV. With strong technical knowledge across major valve and automation brands, Drew drives global growth by delivering competitive, reliable solutions tailored to complex export requirements.
Want to join ACV?
We are driven by innovation in industry so if you are too, you’d be a good fit.
You will need to bring enthusiasm and a strong work ethic to further strengthen our team.
Our history
AC Valves & Controls founded
AC Valves & Controls is founded by Adrian Calvert and Nick Flint through a special distribution partnership with Pekos Valves, a leading Spanish ball valve manufacturer.
Perar Italy partnership
A strategic partnership is established with Perar Italy to create a major European stockholding for API 6D trunnion-mounted ball valves.
AC Valve Alliance formed
AC Valve Alliance is formed, bringing the group together to offer customers a broader range of ball valve solutions.
Starline Ball Valves UK established
Starline Ball Valves UK Ltd is established as the UK affiliate of Starline S.p.A, a respected Italian manufacturer of forged steel ball valves.
Technical Valve Services launched
Technical Valve Services Ltd is launched to provide dedicated in-house valve testing and modification services.
Air Torque UK created
Air Torque UK Ltd is created as the UK affiliate of Air Torque Italy, adding specialist pneumatic automation products and expertise to the group.
Valve & Pipework Systems joins
Valve & Pipework Systems Ltd joins the group, introducing dedicated pipe skid design and manufacturing capabilities.
Technical Valve Services expands
Technical Valve Services Ltd expands into design and manufacturing with a ‘Made in Britain’ range of severe-service valves for fast-track and bespoke applications.
Starline manufacturing agreement introduced
A licensed manufacturing agreement with Starline S.p.A is introduced, enabling fast-tracked, UK-manufactured ball valves for urgent project requirements.
AC Valve Alliance Europe B.V established
AC Valve Alliance Europe B.V is established, providing readily available stock and services to customers across the Netherlands and wider Europe.
Leadership changes
Following a management buyout, leadership transitions to the next generation, Harry Flint and Stefan Stringer, supported by new business partners Drew Prescott and Simon Boxall and the wider team.
New identity as ACV
ACV replaces AC Valve Alliance as the group’s unified identity, reflecting our complete offering of comprehensive stock, bespoke solutions, and reliable, expert guidance from one trusted partner.
Mission, vision
& values
Mission
Our mission is to deliver valve, automation and engineered solutions that support distributors, simplify projects, and drive operational excellence.
We are committed to a customer-focused approach, building lasting relationships by being a trusted partner known for delivering reliable results in a timely manner. Backed by a wealth of experience and technical knowledge, we solve complex challenges, with a strong emphasis on safety, efficiency, and reliability, by working closely with industry-leading manufacturers and suppliers, to ensure the highest quality outcomes for our customers.
Vision Statement
Our vision is to lead the industry as the trusted partner of choice for high quality valve, automation, and engineered solutions renowned for collaboration, technical expertise, and unrivalled problem-solving.
Our values
We collaborate across all teams to deliver success for our customers & Suppliers
We cultivate strong, lasting relationships to ensure thriving partnerships.
We foster trust by communicating openly, honestly and respectfully at all levels of our organisation.
We hold ourselves to high ethical standards, take responsibility for our actions, and follow through on our commitments.
We are committed to delivering products and services that meet the highest standards of quality, safety, and efficiency.
Through our technical expertise, rigorous quality control, and continuous improvement, we ensure every solution is reliable, high-performing, and sustainable.
We promote a supportive, respectful, and inclusive working community where every individual feels a strong sense of belonging.
We prioritise well-being, personal growth, and job satisfaction, creating an environment where people genuinely enjoy coming to work.
We use our technical knowledge to solve complex challenges and offer expert advice, empowering our customers with tailored solutions.
To ensure we are forward-thinking, we continually look to evolve and improve through training and upskilling.
ACV Europe
Our Dutch office serves as a cornerstone of efficiency and reliability, offering unique advantages tailored to your needs and connecting you to quick access to EU stock, responsive customer support, fast-track delivery, and lower costs!
Supply Partners
Our exclusive partnerships with these trusted names allow us to deliver you an extensive range of valves and actuators without delay. Suited to a range of industrial applications, these products provide you the highest standards of quality and performance.
Our Facilities
See our stock
We offer one of Europe’s largest and most comprehensive valve stock ranges, with pre-made and custom solutions available for immediate delivery. Our extensive inventory meets diverse needs, while our custom manufacturing ensures tailored solutions for unique applications, minimising downtime and maximising efficiency.
Meet the team
From testing, manufacturing, pipe skids through to our documentation team, our team of experts are here to answer your questions through our training courses, guided by our team of professionals.
In-house engineering department
Take a tour around our valve and automation facilities which include our comprehensive testing offering, valve modification, actuation services, valve manufacturing and pipe skid fabrication.