3i's chairman Sir Adrian Montague has splashed out on shares in the private equity company, taking 20,000 shares at 291.71p a time, nearly £60,000-worth.
Sir Adrian was appointed chairman of the company in May last year. He is also the chairman of the insurance giant Friends Provident.
3i last week announced it took a £198m hit on its investment in Enterprise, the provider of government services, due to tough economic conditions in Britain. Gross return in the year to 31 March fell to £601m from £843m.
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Sir Adrian hailed a rise in the company's investments over the period.
"High quality new investment has always been central to future value growth for our shareholders," he said.
3i, which earlier this month announced an investment in camping equipment retailer Go Outdoors, described the environment as "generally improving but somewhat fragile."
"Significant regional differences are evident and it is a little early to assess the longer term effects of the geopolitical developments in the Middle East, the natural disaster in Japan, and increased energy and other commodity prices," the company said.
Top Director Buys
Symphony International Holdings Ltd. (SIHL) Director name: Mr Anil ThadaniAmount purchased: 160,000 @ $0.75 Value: $120,000
3i Group (III) Director name: Sir Adrian Montague CBEAmount purchased: 20,000 @ 291.71p Value: £58,342
Anite (AIE) Director name: Mr Christopher HumphreyAmount purchased: 342 @ 7,285.00p Value: £24,915
Amati VCT (ATI) Director name: Mr Peter LawrenceAmount purchased: 22,298 @ 92.83p Value: £20,699
UK Mail Group (UKM) Director name: Mr Guy BuswellAmount purchased: 5,300 @ 283.00p Value: £14,999
Brightside Group (BRT) Director name: Dr Dr Chris E FayAmount purchased: 50,000 @ 28.50p Value: £14,250
Top Director Sells
Bankers Petroleum Ltd. (BNK) Director name: Mr Jonathan P HarrisAmount sold: 15,000 @ 6,953,324.31p Value: £1,042,998,646
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