At the Annual General Meeting of 3i Group plc at 10:30 this morning, Baroness Hogg, Chairman of 3i, will comment that:

"3i''s strong financial performance and the development of the business over the last year have afforded us the opportunity both to accelerate our growth plans and to return £500m to shareholders."

Philip Yea Chief Executive will comment that:

"The Group has made a promising start to the financial year with good levels of new investment and realisations and our continued international development is progressing well."

The Annual General Meeting will be followed by an Extraordinary General Meeting where resolutions will be put to shareholders relating to the proposed £500 million return of capital.

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