As Bailey's British Directory of 1784 details, six of the nine undertakers were clothiers (cloth manufacturers). Three of them, together with the son of a fourth, joined together to found the Stroud Bank in 1779.

Of the others, John Hollings and Richard Aldridge were prominent local shopkeepers. Benjamin Grazebrook, a building contractor, was the only undertaker with any relevant engineering experience. He was appointed 'Senior Clerk' and was responsible for the day-to-day running of the company as well as keeping the books. In 1778, he took over all engineering responsibilities for finishing the canal.