Equanim Group co-founder Nick Aldrich and Howarth McSwain co-founder Justin Saynor have launched Phat Ideas, a new agency in Sheffield.

Both Aldrich and Saynor have had time out from agency life before launching their new venture. Aldrich, 38, established Equanim, a regional group of advertising and creative businesses, through 1996 to 2001, before a reverse takeover in 2002. He has recently been living in Cyprus.

Saynor, also 38, left Howarth McSwain in 2005. He said that with Aldrich’s return to England “it made obvious sense” for the pair to return to the industry and work together.

Established earlier this month, Phat Ideas claims to have already won six new accounts, including an undisclosed UK-based PLC with a turnover in excess of £150million.