Directorate Change

3i Group PLC
12 September 2002

                    3i announces European management changes

3i, Europe's leading venture capital firm, today announced that Mr Chris
Rowlands will be joining as a member of the Executive Committee with
responsibility for the UK network outside of London, as well as 3i's business in
Germany, Switzerland, Austria and the Nordic region.

Mr Rowlands will also be responsible for Growth Capital - one of 3i's main
product areas - across Europe.

Mr Rowlands previously worked at 3i before joining Arthur Andersen in 1996.
There he developed its successful European Corporate Finance business and rose
to be one of the three members of the Andersen UK Leadership Team.

In another change of responsibilities, Mr Paul Waller will take on
responsibility for 3i's network in Holland, France, Italy and Spain, in addition
to his current responsibilities for unquoted fund management.

Commenting on the management changes, Mr Brian Larcombe, Chief Executive said:

'3i's network offers an unrivalled combination of geographic, product and sector
reach. The real competitive advantage lies in the benefits we can deliver from
managing it as a single, integrated network. I am confident that we have the
right structure in place and Chris Rowlands will play an important role in
helping ensure that we harness our resources and scale to deliver these
benefits.'

The management changes are linked to the retirements from the board of 3i Group
on 31 December 2002, after more than thirty years service, of Richard Summers
and Peter Williams.

Dr Summers (57) and Mr Williams (56) are both Executive Directors of 3i. Since
1996 Richard Summers has led the growth of 3i's business in continental Europe,
and from 1995 Peter Williams has been responsible for the UK investment
business.


Mr Larcombe said:

'Richard and Peter have both had long and distinguished careers with 3i. They
have made an enormous contribution to developing 3i into its position today as
Europe's leading venture capital company. They will leave with our greatest
respect and thanks.'

The company also announced the appointment of Mme Christine Morin-Postel as a
Non-Executive Director of 3i Group with effect from 12 September 2002. Mme
Morin-Postel is the Executive Vice-President in charge of Group Human Resources
at Suez. Commenting on the appointment of Mme Morin-Postel, 3i Chairman Sarah
Hogg said:

'We are delighted to welcome Christine Morin-Postel on to our board. She has a
distinguished business career in finance and industry and 3i will benefit
greatly from her experience and knowledge. As our business continues to grow
internationally, so there is a greater premium on the perspective which I know
Christine will be able to provide.'


For further information, please contact:

Brian Larcombe                                          Tel: [phone]
Chief Executive, 3i Group plc
Liz Hewitt                                              Tel: [phone]
Director of Corporate Affairs, 3i Group plc
Philip Gawith                                           Tel: [phone]
The Maitland Consultancy




Notes to Editors


  • Chris Rowlands, 45, has a degree in Law from London University. He worked
    at Barclays Bank before joining 3i where he worked for 12 years, rising to
    the position of Managing Director of the UK Midlands region. He joined
    Arthur Andersen in 1996 and, as Head of European corporate finance,
    developed a successful corporate finance business across Europe. He was a
    member of the Global Corporate Finance Management team, one of three members
    of the Andersen UK Leadership Team and was also responsible for UK human
    resources.

  • Christine Morin-Postel, 56, is Executive Vice President in charge of Group
    Human Resources at Suez, a global services group with 190,000 employees. She
    is also a director of Tractebel, Fortis and Arlington Capital Investors
    (Europe). She was formerly Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the
    Management Committee of Societe Generale de Belgique, Chairman and Chief
    Executive Officer of Creditsuez and Compagnie Hypothecaire, a director of
    Banque Indosuez, Managing Partner of Financiere Indosuez and Senior
    Vice-President in charge of international operations of Lyonnaise des
    Eaux-Dumez.

  • There are no other details required to be disclosed in accordance with
    paragraph 16.4 of the Financial Services Authority's Listing Rules in
    respect of the appointment of Mme Christine Morin-Postel.



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