UK's leading e-cigarette retailer Totally Wicked acquired, actual controller suspected to be RELX-affiliated company

Jun.27
UK's leading e-cigarette retailer Totally Wicked has been acquired by Wittyace UK Holding, which now holds over 75% shares. The newly appointed directors Ying Wang and Chao Lu share identical names with RELX Technology executives Wang Ying and Lu Chao respectively, suggesting potential ties between the acquirer and the Chinese vaping giant. The exact relationship remains to be confirmed.

[2Firsts Express] June 26 - According to public records from the UK government website GOV.UK reviewed by 2Firsts, Totally Wicked, a leading UK e-cigarette retailer, has successively issued nine announcements disclosing significant changes in its equity structure and senior management. Foreign media reports indicate that Totally Wicked has been successfully acquired by a Chinese investor.

 

UK's leading e-cigarette retailer Totally Wicked acquired, actual controller suspected to be RELX-affiliated company
June 26 - Totally Wicked consecutively issued nine announcements | Image source: GOV.UK

 

The announcements reveal that the acquirer is Wittyace UK Holding, which has now become the controlling entity of Totally Wicked with a shareholding of no less than 75%, granting it significant control. The company has concurrently appointed Ms. Ying Wang and Mr. Chao Lu as directors, with both appointments effective from May 31, 2025. Simultaneously, five former directors—Fraser Cropper, Julian Urry, Liam Humberstone, Ben Williamson, and Stuart Mercer—officially stepped down on the same date.

 

UK's leading e-cigarette retailer Totally Wicked acquired, actual controller suspected to be RELX-affiliated company

The announcement shows the appointment of Ms. Ying Wang as director | Image source: GOV.UK
UK's leading e-cigarette retailer Totally Wicked acquired, actual controller suspected to be RELX-affiliated company
The announcement shows that Mr. Chao Lu was appointed as a director | Source: GOV.UK

 

The information further shows that Wittyace UK Holding is registered in Cambridge and is controlled by Chinese national Ying Wang.

 

UK's leading e-cigarette retailer Totally Wicked acquired, actual controller suspected to be RELX-affiliated company
According to disclosed information, Wittyace UK Holding is controlled by Chinese national Ying Wang|Source: GOV.UK

 

Judging from the transliteration of their names and related information disclosure, the identities of Ms. Ying Wang and Mr. Chao Lu have certain overlaps with those of Ms. Wang Ying, the founder, chairman and CEO of RLX Technology, and Mr. Lu Chao, the company's CFO.

 

UK's leading e-cigarette retailer Totally Wicked acquired, actual controller suspected to be RELX-affiliated company
Resumes of the Directors of R.I.O.T. | Source: 10jqka

 

Totally Wicked will continue to be led by CEO Marcus Saxton. He also serves as the chairman of the Independent Electronic Cigarette Trade Association (IBVTA). 2Firsts once interviewed him, in which he shared his insights on the current situation of the British electronic cigarette industry, market structure, regulatory risks and future development challenges. 

 

UK's leading e-cigarette retailer Totally Wicked acquired, actual controller suspected to be RELX-affiliated company
Marcus Saxton

 

About Totally Wicked

 

According to 2Firsts, Totally Wicked's official website claims to be "the first and best e-cigarette store in the UK". As early as 2008, when e-cigarettes were just emerging, Totally Wicked took the lead in entering the e-cigarette business. Today, it not only operates an online mall, but also has more than 150 offline stores on high streets across the UK.

 

UK's leading e-cigarette retailer Totally Wicked acquired, actual controller suspected to be RELX-affiliated company
Totally Wicked store|Photo taken by 2Firsts in October 2024, Manchester

 

According to 2Firsts, Totally Wicked achieved a pre-tax profit of 8.1 million pounds in the 12 months ending March 31, 2024, a significant increase from 3.3 million pounds in the previous fiscal year; during the same period, its turnover also jumped from 90.4 million pounds to 118.1 million pounds, setting a new revenue record. In the year ending March 31, 2022, its turnover was only 54.4 million pounds. 

 

It is worth noting that this set of financial report data was submitted later than the regulatory policy announced by the British government in October 2024-from June 2025, England and Wales will completely ban the sale of disposable e-cigarettes.(More reading:Totally Wicked: Profit Surges Amid British E-cigarette Regulations

 


 

2Firsts welcomes article submissions, interview opportunities, or commentary. Please contact us at info@2firsts.com or connect with 2Firsts CEO Alan Zhao on LinkedIn.

 

An Italian Man Injured by E-Cigarette Explosion, Lawyer Files Lawsuit to Investigate Product Safety Responsibility
An Italian Man Injured by E-Cigarette Explosion, Lawyer Files Lawsuit to Investigate Product Safety Responsibility
A 25-year-old man in Italy was severely injured by an e-cigarette explosion and has filed a lawsuit against the Chinese manufacturer and Italian distributor, calling for the recall of potentially dangerous products.
Aug.04 by 2FIRSTS.ai
GFN Experts Warn: Misinformation is Killing Smokers
GFN Experts Warn: Misinformation is Killing Smokers
At the 2025 Global Forum on Nicotine in Warsaw, experts warned that misinformation about nicotine and safer alternatives is misleading the public and healthcare professionals, hindering smokers’ access to life-saving products.
Jun.27
WHO Representative in Malaysia: Country Should Follow Neighbors in Implementing a Full E-cigarette Ban
WHO Representative in Malaysia: Country Should Follow Neighbors in Implementing a Full E-cigarette Ban
The World Health Organization’s representative in Malaysia has called for a nationwide ban on e-cigarettes, citing regulatory gaps that put children and adolescents at risk. While some Malaysian states have imposed bans, a unified national policy is needed to close enforcement loopholes.
Jul.28 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Saudi Arabia's New Regulation: Grocery Stores Banned from Selling Cigarettes, E-Cigarettes, and Hookahs
Saudi Arabia's New Regulation: Grocery Stores Banned from Selling Cigarettes, E-Cigarettes, and Hookahs
Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs has issued a new regulation prohibiting grocery stores from selling tobacco, fresh foods like dates, e-cigarettes, and hookahs. Existing stores are given a 6-month period to make necessary adjustments.
Jun.25 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Scotland E-Cigarette Market Report (2): Elfbar, Lost Mary, and SKE See Significant Declines, Gold Bar Plunges 93.5%; Pixl and Higo Strongly Grow
Scotland E-Cigarette Market Report (2): Elfbar, Lost Mary, and SKE See Significant Declines, Gold Bar Plunges 93.5%; Pixl and Higo Strongly Grow
Talysis data reveals a "brand reshuffling" in Scotland post-ban. Leading brands like Elf Bar, Lost Mary, and SKE dropped sharply, while emerging brands Pixl and Higo surged. Compliant alternatives like blu and Hyola performed well.
Aug.06 by 2FIRSTS.ai
2Firsts Holds First Global NGP Compliance Certification Training (U.S. Edition), Building the World’s First Professional NGP Compliance Talent Program
2Firsts Holds First Global NGP Compliance Certification Training (U.S. Edition), Building the World’s First Professional NGP Compliance Talent Program
2Firsts held its first Global NGP Compliance Certification Training in Shenzhen, building international compliance talent and strengthening the industry’s global ecosystem.
Jul.14