BOARD ANNOUNCEMENT

3i Group PLC
14 May 2004

Announcement



14/05/04



3i Group plc announces that Mr Philip Yea has accepted the Board's invitation to
become Chief Executive of the Company in succession to Mr Brian Larcombe. Mr Yea
is expected to take up his appointment with effect from the close of the
Company's Annual General Meeting on 7 July 2004 following completion of projects
at Investcorp where Mr Yea is currently a Managing Director in its private
equity business.



A resolution appointing Mr Yea as a Director of the Company will be proposed at
the Annual General Meeting on 7 July 2004.



Commenting, Baroness Hogg, Chairman of the Board said 'We are delighted to have
attracted such a high calibre candidate to the job.  Philip has an exceptional
breadth of experience across industry, the City and private equity.   3i is a
highly focused business with clear competitive advantage and Philip's experience
of major international companies is a natural fit'



A further announcement containing the information required by Listing Rule 16.4
will be made in due course.



For further information, please contact:


Patrick Dunne, Group Communications Director                  Tel: [phone]

Philip Gawith, The Maitland Consultancy                       Tel: [phone]




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