Director Shareholding

3i Group PLC
12 August 2004


The Listing Rules - Chapter 16, Paragraph 16.13

As potential beneficiaries of The 3i Group Employee Trust (the 'Trust') all
employees of 3i Group plc (the 'Company') and its subsidiaries have an interest
in all the shares ('Shares') of 50p each in the Company held by the Trust for
the purposes of section 324 Companies Act 1985.  These employees include the
executive directors of the Company: Philip Yea, Martin Gagen, Michael Queen and
Rod Perry (the 'Directors').

On 12 August 2004, participants (who are not Directors) exercised options under
the Company's Management Equity Investment Plan to acquire from the Trust
106,380 Shares;  98,300 Shares at a price of £nil per Share and 8,080 Shares at
a price of £6.63 per Share.

Each of the Directors notified the Company of the change in his interest in the
Shares on 12 August 2004.


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