Boas was a partner at chartered accountants Harris and Trotter, where he worked on acts such as Depeche Mode. Ronnie Harris, a senior partner at the firm, explains that Boas came to him from University and worked his way through the ranks, bringing in clients such as KT Tunstall and Maximo Park.

"He was an exceptionally good guy and he loved the music business," Harris adds. "Everyone he met could only say good things about him."

After being diagnosed with ...