- Romae Gordon, the Longtime Managing Director of Fashion and Lifestyle at Pulse, The Modelling and Entertainment Conglomerate that later evolved into a Real Estate Powerhouse, has decided to walk away from her position, in the organisation founded by her longtime Companion and Partner of over 30 years, Kingsley Cooper, a few months, shy of the First anniversary of the passing of the legendary founder of the company.
According to sources close to Pulse, Gordon, whose duties saw her Managing and or overseeing a number of portfolios in the organisation, decided to walk away from the company due to differences with the Board over the future of the Company, leaving the board in a quandary, at a delicate time.
Pulse, a company that came into its own in the 1980s under the skillful management and shrewd marketing skills of Kingsley Cooper, a trained Lawyer who opted to pursue an entrepreneurial pathway, had partnered with fellow jurist Hilary Phillips, to launch Pulse, a first of its kind, as before their launching Pulse, Modelling and Entertainment, were regarded by many as frivolous sideshows not regarded as potential Primetime Economic and Employment opportunities.
But Cooper and Phillips went on to prove those with that view very wrong, as they forged ahead, creating a fashion and Entertainment Industry like no other with their innovative approach and Motto: Pulse, The Heartbeat Of The Caribbean. The fledgling company that had its start at 3 Ardenne Road in Kingston, went on to Promote, Produce and Sponsor some of the region’s most successful Cabaret Shows and Concerts, featuring an array of internationally acclaimed Stars, whilst building a solid portfolio of Models.
After acting as the leading Agency for Modelling Talent for Advertising Agencies, Movies, and Videos, Pulse created its own Modelling Contest, The Miss Jamaica Fashion Model Contest, that pitted the best modelling talent against each other in a public contest, that saw the winner walking away with a coveted prize trip, to Paris, to appear at the Pret A Porter shows, with the chance of snagging an international modelling Contract, with the leading Designers at the time.
The Miss Jamaica Fashion Model Pageant was expanded over time to become the Caribbean Fashion Model Pageant, and would later become a televised reality TV hit, with Cooper and Gordon as staple Judges and celebrity Social Columnist Chester Francis-Jackson, guesting as a celebrity judge. This show brought newfound fame and acclaim to the Pulse Brand. And further opened up the Doors to the Region’s talent Pool.
With the continuing expansion, Cooper, with Gordon as his trusted Confidante and Partner, went into full expansionist mode, acquiring 38 A Trafalgar Road, in the Heart of the City/s business and commercial district, dubbing it Trafalgar Bay, and made it the new Pulse Headquarters.
To facilitate its continued expansion, Cooper would later acquire the iconic Villa Ronai, Estate in Old Stony Hill, a 15-plus acre property, that was ideal as a fashion theme park and or a multi-faceted estate hosting high-end restaurants, cafes and luxury condos and apartments.
Cooper was in the throes of transforming the Villa Ronai property into an oasis for the luxe lifestyle at the time of his unexpected illness and subsequent transition in June of 2024.
Gordon was always an integral part of Cooper’s plans and planning, for the future and Development of Villa Ronai and the Pulse brand, But, it was always clear to business observers and Pulse aficionados, that Pulse, was a Kingley Cooper-centric business entity, with Gordon, his trusted Life Partner and Business ally, his understudy.
So with his transition, many saw Gordon as the natural successor to continue at the helm of the Pulse Group, taking Cooper’s dream to its fullness. After 30 years at Pulse Investments Ltd, Romae Gordon, Managing Director, Fashion and Lifestyle, recently stepped down from her day-to-day duties with immediate effect. She will, however, remain as a Director of the company.
Gordon, who managed several portfolios, including: Fashion Director, General Manager, Public Relations, Model Management and TV Producer, and the Company Secretary.Was a key figure in the organisation’s operations. And with the responsibilities for Model Management, was instrumental in the discovery and career development of a number of Pulse’s top models, such as: Jaunel McKenzie, Nadine Willis, Nell Robinson, Sedene Blake, Jeneil Williams, Francine James, Oraine Barrett, Alicia Burke, Zan Hyde and Shantae Leslie; whilst producing and co-hostingt several of the company’s signature TV Shows such as: The Caribbean Model Search Reality series, Ready for CFW and Caribbean Fashion Weekly. And more recently introducing new Products such as Pulse World 360 and CMS: and The Supermodels.
As they say, no good deed goes unpunished, and despite her hard work and dedication to the Pulse Brand, there were always signs of simmering tension soon after Kingsley’s daughter, Safia Cooper, joined the Pulse team. There were attempts to paper them over by Kingsley, but they never went away. And with his passing, those tensions became more tangible.
When Hilary Phillips, who had always played an advisory role, as a Director, was appointed Interim Chairman upon Cooper’’s death, to steer the organisation, it was hoped that she would have been a calming force, but instead, the tensions rose to the fore, causing Gordon to reevaluate her role in the Corporate space, and weigh that against her duties to her young son as a mother and only parent, and so decided to take a break from her Corporate duties at this time!
Her resignation was effected on Monday, the 31st of March.
