F1 Arcade names Jonathan Peters CEO as it gears-up for accelerated expansion: F1 Arcade, the Formula 1-licensed experiential brand, has said it has taken the next steps in its planned leadership transition naming Jonathan Peters, previously global president, has been named chief executive to drive “ambitious growth plans”. At the same time, founder Adam Breeden and co-founder Diane Jervis will transition to non-executive director roles, as the business scales up and enters new markets. As part of its growth planning, F1 Arcade has strengthened its leadership team. Adam Hughes, formerly European finance director at Soho House, has stepped up to become chief financial officer, while Tom Littlechild, who was head of brand at Formula 1 and marketing and communications director at The O2, has been hired as interim chief marketing officer. In addition, Janene Pretorius joins the business as chief people officer following senior positions at The Wolseley Hospitality Group and The Ivy Collection. The group’s expansion plans include the opening of its 15,000-square-foot venue in Atlanta, as well as its first mainland European location in Madrid – a franchise venue delivered in partnership with Top Racing Iberia, a joint venture between Top Entertainment Iberia and Orca Holdings. This summer, the company debuted its small-format arcade experience, F1 Box, at London’s Westfield Stratford City, ahead of a planned global roll-out. Backed by Formula 1 and Liberty Media, F1 Arcade opened its first venue in London in 2022, followed by Birmingham, and in April 2024 the brand launched its first US site in Boston Seaport. As part of its roll out plan, F1 Arcade has since opened in a further four US locations: Denver, Washington DC, Philadelphia and Las Vegas, with further franchise sites and concepts in development. Breeden said: “F1 Arcade has been an extraordinary journey, seeing the business grow from an idea into a category-leading brand with a clearly defined global roll out has been immensely rewarding. Jonathan and I have been working together since the foundation of the business in 2020 and throughout this time he has consistently demonstrated outstanding leadership, commercial clarity and a deep understanding of what it takes to drive the business forward. He is exceptionally well placed to lead the next phase of growth as we capitalise on strong foundations we have built with a clear global expansion strategy.” Peters said: “F1 Arcade is entering a momentous new stage as a scale-up. We have strong investor backing, a proven concept and a well-defined international expansion plan.”

Sector Christmas single launched to raise money for charity: “Always Open at Christmas” – a new charity single from The Hospitality Choir – has been launched with all proceeds going directly to Hospitality Action, supporting hospitality workers and their families who are facing difficult times. Available across all major streaming platforms, the single has been written by Chris Fletcher, founder and chief executive of Tech on Toast, and directed by Jeff Black, and brings together voices from across the hospitality sector with support from brands like Bill’s, Boxpark, Soho House, and many more, in “a heartfelt celebration of the people who keep the industry moving during its busiest season”. Formed especially for this project, The Hospitality Choir brings together a mixture of industry leaders from sales, operations and technology, along with members of the wider supplier community. Kate Nicholls, trustee of Hospitality Action and chair of UKHospitality, said: “Always Open at Christmas shines a much-needed light on the importance of the hospitality sector, for not only our communities but for our country. Despite rising costs and rising pressure, hospitality will not let our nation down. Hospitality Action is busier than ever, and this single will raise vital funds for a very important charity.”