Lincolnshire agents Pygott and Crone were announced the UK’s best estate agent on Friday, while the accolade of outstanding individual contribution to the industry went to David Newnes.

Newnes, who is about to step down from his role as director at LSL, received a standing ovation.

Pygott and Crone, with eight offices and 100 staff, also won best medium-sized estate agents and beat off strong competition to take the top title.

These included Paramount in Hampstead, which was named best single office and also best agent to work for; Brand Vaughan of Brighton, best small estate agent; Countrywide, best national estate agent; and Hamptons, best largest agent.

The Times and Sunday Times Estate Agency of the Year event, sponsored by Zoopla, proved a huge success, attracting industry suppliers and hundreds of agents from all over the UK.

Michelle Mone, the Scottish underwear entrepreneur, proved a smash hit both as a speaker at the EA Live conference and as co-presenter of the awards.

Delegates were moved and inspired by her talk. She and co-presenter Penny Smith later rattled through the many awards, with Michelle having to dash off to Heathrow straight afterwards for an 8pm flight.

She later tweeted: “Phew that was close: 17 minutes to take-off.”