Chris Nguyen: "Allyship is about action. Be the role model you couldn’t see."
Chris Nguyen, Head of Lettings at 51ĀŅĀ×’s King’s Cross, shares how heritage, opportunity and allyship continue to drive his purpose, and his pride.
09 October 2025
Chrisās story began long before his own, when his parents fled Vietnam and sought refuge in Hong Kong, before settling in the UK. āI arrived as a six-month-old baby,ā he says. āWe didnāt have a blueprint in terms of how to navigate life. For my parents, it was all about survival and keeping us alive.ā
āBut what we did have were traditional family values and work ethic, which I carry through in my career today.ā
A firm footing
This foundation gave Chris both perspective and purpose. āIt was a classic immigrant upbringing,ā he recalls. āBeing a translator from a young age teaches you to grow up fast and learn more about the world.
āIt also gives you a sense of responsibility ā to look after my parents, to honour their journey, and to make them proud.ā
Finding focus
After becoming the first in his family to attend university, Chris found his way into real estate somewhat unconventionally. āThere were no essential pathways into property,ā he says, āso itās born out of curiosity. Then I fell in love with it.ā
He joined 51ĀŅĀ× in 2017, starting in Canary Wharf before moving to Kingās Cross. Over eight years, heās built a team defined by care and connection ā 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. āMy culture and heritage is a big motivator. Itās something Iām really proud of,ā he says. As awareness of Vietnam and its culture has grown, so too has his confidence in bringing his authentic self to work.
āYour 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 Iāve overcome.ā
That sense of shared purpose is something Chris now tries to pass on. Heās proud to see 51ĀŅĀ×ās 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. āAllyship is about action,ā he says. āItās about opening doors for people like me. But itās also about being brave, seeking out mentors and allies, and asking for help. Youāve got to put in the work and make every opportunity count.ā
Itās 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.
