F1 Arcade has appointed Janene Pretorius as Chief People Officer, strengthening its leadership team as the experiential hospitality brand prepares for accelerated international expansion. The appointment, announced in December 2025, positions Pretorius to lead people strategy during a critical growth phase for the Formula 1-backed venture.
Pretorius brings more than two decades of hospitality industry experience to the role, having built her career across some of Britain’s most celebrated restaurant groups. She joins F1 Arcade from The Wolseley Hospitality Group, where she served as Group Director of People, Talent and Culture since November 2022, overseeing people operations across the portfolio of nine high-end London restaurants including The Wolseley, The Delaunay and Brasserie Zédel.
Her hospitality journey began in South Africa, where an early interest in the industry led her to work in restaurants from the age of 16 while studying. After graduating with a degree in graphic design from Tshwane University of Technology, Pretorius moved to the UK in 2001 and started in operational roles, working as both a chef and in front-of-house positions.
In 2003, she joined Gaucho and rose to become Head of Staff Training and Development, where she implemented The Gaucho Academy – an industry-renowned eight-day training programme that all employees complete before stepping into a restaurant. The programme became recognised for its rigorous approach, requiring staff to pass product knowledge examinations covering everything from beef and wine to service standards.
Pretorius subsequently served as Training and HR Director at Prezzo from 2013 before joining The Ivy Collection as Director of People in 2017. She was promoted to Chief People Officer in 2020, with her remit expanding to encompass Caprice Holdings and Bill’s Restaurants alongside The Ivy Collection brasseries across the UK and internationally. During this period, she spearheaded initiatives including The Ivy Academy and Ivy Career Pathways programme.
F1 Arcade is the world’s first official Formula 1 experiential hospitality brand, combining state-of-the-art full-motion racing simulators with premium dining and cocktails. Launched in London in December 2022, the brand has since expanded to include venues in Birmingham, Boston, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, Denver and Las Vegas. The company is targeting 30 locations globally by the end of 2027.
The appointment comes as F1 Arcade enters an ambitious expansion phase, supported by $130 million in funding raised in 2024 from investors including Cheyne Capital, Liberty Media Corporation, Permira Credit and OakNorth. Upcoming openings include a 15,500-square-foot venue in Atlanta, scheduled for February 2026, and the brand’s first mainland European location in Madrid through a franchise partnership with Top Racing Iberia.
Pretorius joins a strengthened executive team that includes newly appointed CEO Jonathan Peters, formerly Global President, alongside Chief Financial Officer Adam Hughes, previously European Finance Director at Soho House, and Interim Chief Marketing Officer Tom Littlechild, former Head of Brand at Formula 1 and Marketing and Communications Director at The O2.
Beyond her professional roles, Pretorius serves as a People and Culture Consultant with Only A Pavement Away, a charity supporting individuals facing homelessness into hospitality careers. She has been a longstanding advocate for inclusive workforce development and employee engagement throughout her career.
