Chris Nguyen: "Allyship is about action. Be the role model you couldn’t see."
Chris Nguyen, Head of Lettings at Knight Frank’s King’s Cross, shares how heritage, opportunity and allyship continue to drive his purpose, and his pride.
09 October 2025
Chris’s story began long before his own, when his parents fled Vietnam and sought refuge in Hong Kong, before settling in the UK. “I arrived as a six-month-old baby,” he says. “We didn’t have a blueprint in terms of how to navigate life. For my parents, it was all about survival and keeping us alive.”
“But what we did have were traditional family values and work ethic, which I carry through in my career today.”
A firm footing
This foundation gave Chris both perspective and purpose. “It was a classic immigrant upbringing,” he recalls. “Being a translator from a young age teaches you to grow up fast and learn more about the world.
“It also gives you a sense of responsibility – to look after my parents, to honour their journey, and to make them proud.”
Finding focus
After becoming the first in his family to attend university, Chris found his way into real estate somewhat unconventionally. “There were no essential pathways into property,” he says, “so it’s born out of curiosity. Then I fell in love with it.”
He joined Knight Frank in 2017, starting in Canary Wharf before moving to King’s Cross. Over eight years, he’s built a team defined by care and connection – values that mirror his own story.
If you can’t see any role models in life, then be one.
Creating space for others
For Chris, his heritage is a source of both pride and energy. “My culture and heritage is a big motivator. It’s something I’m really proud of,” he says. As awareness of Vietnam and its culture has grown, so too has his confidence in bringing his authentic self to work.
“Your cultural background and your differences can be used as a strength to push you forward. It helps me connect with more people because of my own diverse upbringing, and the things I’ve overcome.”
That sense of shared purpose is something Chris now tries to pass on. He’s proud to see Knight Frank’s culture evolving, particularly through networks like EMBRACE, on which Chris is a committee member.
Carrying it forward
Ultimately, Chris believes that meaningful change depends on communication, and above all, persistence. “Allyship is about action,” he says. “It’s about opening doors for people like me. But it’s also about being brave, seeking out mentors and allies, and asking for help. You’ve got to put in the work and make every opportunity count.”
It’s a sentiment that perfectly sums up his journey: from child of refugees to leader, role model, and advocate for others forging paths of their own.
