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

"The year to 31 March saw 3i move forward strategically, operationally and financially."

Baroness Hogg will also announce that Robert Swannell will be joining the 3i Group plc board as a non-executive director with effect from 1 September 2006 . Robert is Vice Chairman, Citigroup Europe and a member of Citigroup''s Global Investment Banking Operating Committee and has a strong track record in the financial services sector.

Philip Yea, Chief Executive, will comment that:

"Since the year end, 3i has continued to invest well and to generate high levels of realisations."

The Annual General Meeting will be followed by an Extraordinary General Meeting where a resolution will be put to shareholders relating to the proposed £700 million return of capital.

For information please contact:

3i Group plc
Patrick Dunne, Group Communications Director -  020 7975 3283

Maitland Consultancy
Philip Gawith -  020 7379 5151