• Swindon & Wiltshire Social
• Thursday March 19 2026

Financial expert ‘locks’ in to sponsorship deal

Financial expert Southby & Co Financial Planning has ‘locked’ into a sponsorship deal to support its local canal.

Founded by Dave Southby, the Wroughton-based financial adviser is sponsoring the landing stage at the stretch of the Wilts & Berks canal which runs from Rushy Platt through to Wichelstowe.

The area is increasingly becoming somewhere to visit and live as the development works continue in 2026 and beyond.

“When I started Southby & Co Financial Planning, I wanted to not only improve the lives of our clients but also our local community,” said Dave.

“For this reason, we thought working with the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust was the perfect partnership, with a shared vision of leaving a lasting legacy for many future generations to come.”

The Wiltshire and Berkshire canal is a national historic site. The man-made canal opened in 1810 and was a bustling trade route which was abandoned in 1914 as much of the canal was demolished or filled in because it was unnavigable.

In 1977, the Wilts & Berks Canal Amenity Group formed with the view to fully restore it and for decades they have worked hard to bring that vision back to partial reality.

The Wilts & Berks Canal Trust stems from that original group founded in 1977, and the charity continues to champion reinstating the canal and towpath.

The aim of the charity’s restoration is to bring economic benefits, health and wellbeing to the public, nature and biodiversity as well as flood alleviation.

“The Wilts & Berks Canal Trust are doing a fantastic job in restoring 70 miles of canal and towpath in Swindon and across the region, benefitting our communities and local wildlife,” said Dave.

“In sponsoring the landing stage in South Swindon, we’re able to have a direct impact not just on the environment but the lives of everyone in the area and Swindon as a whole.”

Chloe Ford, head of communications at Wilts & Berks Canal Trust, spoke about the impact this sponsorship will have on the trust and local community.

“We are extremely pleased to have Southby & Co sponsoring our landing stage. This community asset is loved and used by many who enjoy our Dragonfly boat trips and that’s exactly how Dave Southby found us.

“It’s such an exciting time looking ahead, as from the landing stage we can see the next section being built. Southby & Co’s sponsorship helps us maintain and run into the future.”