Adrian Calvert
Director
The AC of AC Valves, Adrian has been in the industry for the past 40 years, gaining experience with relief valve, check valve, ball valve and distribution companies along the way, setting up AC Valves during 1996 and growing it ever since – we are onto our fourth building thus far, each one being bigger and better.
Adrian manages to keep just as busy at home, where jobs on the farm are never in short supply.
Judy Calvert
Finance Director
Quite rightly Judy refuses to discuss how long she has been in the industry. One thing
is for sure, she keeps exceptional control of the group finances.
Judy still prefers to spend most of her spare time with her horses, rather than with her husband Adrian.
Nick Flint
Director
Starting some 30 years ago, Nick’s industrial adventure began at a couple of ball valve manufacturers before including – as General Manager – a ball, gate, globe and check valve distributor. Along with Adrian, Nick was instrumental in the formation of AC Valves in 1996.
With a list of extra curricular activities as varied as kyaking, cinema, cycling and learning to play the guitar Nick has assured himself of something to do whatever the vagaries of the British weather.
Steve Craddock
Director
Steve’s career has spanned the last 30 years, initially with a company manufacturing ball, gate, globe and check valves moving within the industry in the capacity of Sales Manager before his arrival in AC Valves at the turn of the millenium.
Another company member who has recently reaquainted himself with the bicycle, it is Steve’s weekly football five-a-side fix that keeps him both on the ball and still hopeful of that belated phone call from Leicester City.
Ray Lewis
Director
Ray has been involved in valves and valve design for over 35 years. He has worked for a wide
variety of companies including, Weir, Keystone, Orbit and Tomoe Butterfly valves.
Ray is also part of our “cycle team” and has now completed the coast to coast route three times, he must be suffering from memory loss to put himself through it more than once…
Steve Jennings
Director
Steve began his industrial journey 30 years ago working for an electric actuator manufacturer and joined Airtorque in the summer of 2008.
Steve is a supporter of Birmingham City and has been patiently awaiting their first major success for as long as he can remember.
Riding and ‘doing up’ motorbikes also features high in his life away from work.
Mark Conway
Beginning his career with Eurotube in 1988, Mark worked in the associated industries of pipe, flanges, fittings and valves until his arrival at AC Valves in 1999.
At home Mark indulges his love of music, film and sports with particular emphasis on his own cricketing endeavours where he has managed to become a ‘specialist fielder’ and also regularly assists with his 2 sons’ junior cricket teams where paracetamol is as much an essential addition to any kit bag as bat and ball!
He is also charged with the task of turning computers off and on again in the office.
Nick Papworth
Nicks tour of duty in the valve industry began at BSS over 25 years ago, taking in a stop at George Fischer before arriving at AC Valves in 2002.
As well as being an essential port of call when it comes to application solution, Nick has transferred this exuberance into the realms of fixing various home appliances with more limited success, it must be said.
He fills the works dishwasher.
Peter Knight
After a brief stint preparing cricket pitches in the county, Peters working life began at Kenway Valves in 1987, later joining AC Valves in the winter of ’03.
His outside interests still include cricket – but in the management side – and a love of films both good and bad with horror being a particularly favourite genre.
He claims to be saving the world one valve at a time.
Simon Lane
Simon’s valve industry career began in a company selling ball, gate, globe and check valves in 1994, later moving to AC Valves during the year 2000.
Simon’s interests outside of work include golf, scuba diving and cooking, but not all at the same time. That would be silly.
Simon’s liking for food extends to the office environment where he seems to be on a one man crusade to deter any kind of weight loss drive.
Vanessa Birchall
The youngest member of the sales team, Vanessa began her industrial career selling ball, gate, globe and check valves in 2000, signing for AC Valves in 2008.
Away from work, Vanessa is a lover of live music and a member of a gym where
I am sure that her use of static exercise bikes has led to her becoming another new bicycle owner in the company. Only this time, one that can move.
Graham Adams
Graham’s industrial journey began in 1994 at an air compressor company, including
other associated companies and actuator companies on the way
before arriving at Airtorque in 2009.
During his spare time, Graham’s passion is for motorsports with a particular penchant
for F1, which; judging by his speed across the car park seems to be having an effect.
Noel Corbally
Noel has been involved with Pneumatic valves, fittings & actuators for over twenty years.
He has recently moved from Ireland to a new life in England.
He follows Manchester United and hopes now to be able watch a few games at Old Trafford.
Gary Plant
Gary’s 25 year (and counting) industrial path has led through a butterfly valve company and has taken in a valve and associated equipment distribution concern, arriving at AC Valves some 5 years ago where he continues his career as our representative for England, Wales, Ireland and overseas.
Out of hours, Gary’s interests include golf – where he is a member of his local club – cinema and live music where he funds his son and daughters interest as much as his own. Just enough other things to take his mind off the travails of being a Baggies fan.
Jim West
Working over 25 years for a gate, globe, check, ball valve and associated equipment distributor has given Jim invaluable experience across all walks of the industry as a whole. This priceless knowledge has now been transferred to AC Valves (in 2007) where he continues in his role as our representative in Scotland.
A busy social life outside of work, Jim enjoys – or not, as the case may be – his golf, puts up with the rollercoaster life of a Celtic supporter and still dons his boots on a weekly basis for five-a-side outings.
The Accounts Team
Finance Director Judy Calvert (center)
with Helen Flint (left) & Jessica Calvert (right)
The Warehouse & Production Team (from left to right)
John Slevin
Dave Prescod
Luke Chambers
Bob Marshall
Daniel Bower
Glenn Mortimore – Projects
Bev Johncock – Q.A.Manager
Michael Oates
Bill Armsden
Gary Weston – Warehouse Manager
Kevin Gorringe – Projects