The Stuart Sutcliffe Estate is estimated to be worth in excess of £5 million and contains dozens of Sutcliffe's original paintings with an array of memorabilia from The Beatles early days in Hamburg.

Cooper commented: "It's a tremendous privilege to be appointed CEO of the Stuart Sutcliffe Estate. Stuart was an incredibly talented man and despite dying at the very early age of 21, his influence has radiated the world-over for almost 50 years.

I would like to thank both ...