Key points

• Total return of £407 million, a 16.2% return on opening shareholders'' funds
• Strong realisations of £1,385 million, at good average uplifts of 19% over opening carrying value
• Net debt reduced to £258 million (2009: £1,912m)
• Increase in net asset value to £3.21 (opening NAV of £2.79 at 31 March 2009)

3i''s Chairman Baroness Hogg said:
"A transformed financial position, improved performance, and a substantial increase in funds available to invest have put 3i in a strong competitive position."

Michael Queen 3i''s Chief Executive added:
"I am confident we will see some outstanding opportunities in the next three years and believe we are now well placed, with a focused business model, good liquidity and a strong balance sheet to invest in and build some great businesses."

For further information, please contact:

Michael Queen, Chief Executive
3i Group plc - Tel:  020 7975 3512

Rachel Richards
Press Office - Tel:  020 7975 3573

Suzanne Bartch
Maitland Consultancy - Tel:  020 7379 5151

For further information regarding the announcement of 3i''s annual results to 31 March 2010, including a live videocast of the results presentation from 09:45am, please see www.3igroup.com.