The Drum understands that David Bell and Darren Hawkins, creative and planning directors respectively at defunct Leeds ad firm Poulters, are primed to launch their own start-up agency.

Industry observers have been expecting a new venture from the highly-rated pair, and speculation is mounting that the new agency, rumoured to be named DBDH, could be unveiled shortly.

The rumours are yet to be officially confirmed by either Bell or Hawkins, who could not be reached at the time of writing.

The launch would follow quickly on the heels of Banana Kick – the marketing agency formed by ex-Poulters managing director, Gary McCall, and former client services director, Nick Goring.

McCall and Goring have reprised those same roles at their new firm, which specialises in sports and leisure, and have already been joined by five ex-Poulters staff, with the pair hoping more will follow.

Earlier this month, it was also announced that one of the top creative teams at Poulters, Mick Craven and Gary Delaporte, had been snapped up by Leeds's Fuse8 to launch the group's new brand-building advertising agency, Industry.

Poulters employed 42 staff before parent company Bezier took the decision to close its doors in July. Bell was among the team who worked on the agency's final ad – a commemorative send-off which was published in The Drum.