{{Short description|British investment management company}} {{about|the British financial company||3I (disambiguation)}} {{redirect|ICFC|the European football competition|Inter-Cities Fairs Cup}} {{Use British English|date=April 2026}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}} {{Infobox company | name = 3i Group plc | logo = 3i Group Plc logo.svg | type = Public | industry = Corporate finance | former_name = {{Ubl | Finance for Industry Public Limited Company (1973{{endash}}1983) | Investors in Industry Group plc (1983{{endash}}1988)<ref name="CompaniesHouse">{{Cite web |date=1973-11-01 |title=3i Group plc overview - Find and update company information - GOV.UK |url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/01142830 |access-date=2023-08-06 |website=Companies House |language=en}}</ref> }} | traded_as = {{ubl|{{lse|III}}|FTSE 100 Component}} | ISIN = {{ISIN|sl=n|pl=y|GB00B1YW4409}} | founded = {{start date and age|1945}} | founder = Bank of England and a syndicate of British banks | location = London, England, UK | key_people = {{ubl| David Hutchison (chairman)|{{wd-ceo}}<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.3i.com/our-people/?business_line=7942| title=Our People | access-date=2021-02-19 }}</ref>}} | services = {{ubl|Private equity|Infrastructure investment}} | operating_income = {{increase}} £5,275 million (2026)<ref name=results>{{cite web|url=https://www.3i.com/media/04oheewu/3i-group-press-release-fy26.pdf|title=Annual Results for the year ended 31 March 2026|publisher=3i|access-date=15 May 2026}}</ref> | income_year = | net_income = {{increase}} £5,294 million (2026)<ref name=results/> | aum = £36.8 billion (2026)<ref name=results/> | net_income_year = | num_employees = c.250 (2024)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.3i.com/careers/why-join-3i/|title=Why join 3i?|publisher= 3i Group|access-date=11 February 2024}}</ref> | num_employees_year = | website = {{Official URL}} }}
'''3i Group plc''' is a British multinational private equity and infrastructure investment company based in London, England. 3i is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index.
==History== The company was formed in 1945, as the '''Industrial and Commercial Finance Corporation''' (ICFC), by the Bank of England and the major British banks to provide long-term investment funding for small and medium-sized enterprises. Its foundation was inspired by the Macmillan Committee, and resulted from the recognition in the 1930s, given new impetus in the postwar era, that smaller businesses faced a gap in available corporate finance due to banks being unwilling to provide long-term capital and the companies being too small to raise capital from the public markets.<ref>The Times, 24 January 1945</ref>
During the 1950s and 1960s, and particularly after 1959 when the shareholder banks allowed it to raise external funds, ICFC expanded significantly. In 1973 ICFC acquired Finance Corporation for Industry, a sister company also formed in 1945 which focused on finance for large companies, and was renamed '''Finance for Industry''' (FFI). In the 1980s, FFI became a leading provider of finance for management buyouts, and expanded internationally. In 1983 the company was renamed '''Investors in Industry''', commonly known as '''3i'''.<ref>The Times, 5 July 1983</ref>
'''3i Group''' was created in 1987 when the banks sold off their stakes to form a public limited company. In 1994 the company was floated on the London Stock Exchange with a market capitalisation of £1.5 billion.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.3i.com/about3i/history-of-3i.html|title=Our History|work=3i |access-date=15 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130214211603/http://www.3i.com/about3i/history-of-3i.html|archive-date=14 February 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>
==Operations== 3i invests in mid-market buyouts, growth capital (minority) and infrastructure. Sectors invested in are business and financial services, consumer, industrials and energy, and healthcare.
===Current investments=== {{Columns-list|colwidth=30em| *Action: in June 2011 3i bought a majority stake in this Dutch discount retailer.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110913074921/http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-08-18/3i-proposes-preliminary-terms-for-loans-to-back-action-buyout.html 3i Proposes Preliminary Terms for Loans to Back Action Buyout] Bloomberg Business Week 18 August 2011</ref> *Audley Travel: In December 2015 3i invested in Audley Travel, the lead operator in the tailor-made travel market.<ref>{{cite news |last=Ratcliffe |first=Madeline |title=3i hopes Audley Travel will take off with £159m investment|url=http://www.cityam.com/231305/equistone-exits-audley-travel-and-3i-steps-in-with-159m-investment |publisher=City AM| location=London |date=21 December 2015 |eissn=2516-5453}}</ref> *BoConcept: Furniture company purchased in 2016<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.3i.com/portfolio/boconcept/#|title=Portfolio: Boconcept|publisher=3i|access-date=13 November 2024}}</ref> *ESP Utilities Group: In June 2017, 3i invested in ESP Utilities Group, one of UK’s largest and longest established Independent Gas Transporters (IGT) and Independent Distribution Network Operators (IDNO).<ref>{{Cite web|title=About ESP|url=https://espug.com/about-esp/|access-date=2021-07-09|website=ESP Utilities Group|language=en-GB}}</ref> *Formel D: In 2017, 3i invested €155 million in Formel D, a German car parts company, while CITIC invested €72 million.<ref name="cityamturvill">{{cite news |last=Turvill |first=William |title=UK private equity giant 3i sells stake in Barcelona-based funeral services company Memora |url=http://www.cityam.com/268572/uk-private-equity-giant-3i-sells-stake-barcelona-based |access-date=19 July 2017 |work=City AM |location=London |date=17 July 2017 |eissn=2516-5453}}</ref> *George Best Belfast City Airport<ref name=Portfolio>[https://www.3i.com/portfolio?sector=®ion=&business_line=2275&q= Portfolio] 3i</ref> *Global Cloud Xchange<ref name=Portfolio/> *Infinis<ref name=Portfolio/> *Q Holding Co: 3i are due to purchase the company's three main operating businesses, Qure Medical, QSR and Quadra Tooling and Automation.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20141123/SUB1/311239982/sale-to-private-equity-firm-should-bolster-q-holding-co |title=Sale to private equity firm should bolster Q Holding Co. |date=20 November 2014 |publisher=Crain's Cleveland Business |access-date=2014-12-19}}</ref> *Regional Rail<ref name=Portfolio/> *Scandlines: 3i purchased a 100% stake in November 2013, reduced to 35% in 2018<ref>[https://www.ft.com/content/d61b6dec-1bb3-11e3-94a3-00144feab7de 3i offers to take full control of Nordic ferry group Scandlines] ''Financial Times'' 12 September 2013</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20191220115040/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-3i-group-divestiture-idUSKBN1H20XI 3i Group sells ferry operator Scandlines, buys backs stake] ''Reuters'' 26 March 2018</ref> *Smarte Carte, purchased 2017<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20201127053452/https://www.smartecarte.com/press/3i-announces-first-north-american-infrastructure-transaction-investment-smarte-carte/ 3i Announces First North American Infrastructure Transaction with Investment in Smarte Carte] Smarte Carte 16 October 2017</ref> *TCR International<ref name=Portfolio/> }}
===Former investments=== {{Columns-list|colwidth=30em| *ACR Capital Reinsurance, purchased 2006, sold 2020<ref>[http://www.altassets.net/private-equity-news/3i-and-khazanah-lead-investment-in-acrs-620m-inaugural-private-placement.html 3i and Khazanah lead investment in ACR’s $620m inaugural private placement] Alternative Assets, 1 December 2006</ref> *Agent Provocateur (80%), purchased 2007, sold 2017<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20220623132021/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/agent-provocateur-sold-to-private-equity-firm-3i-for-pound-60m-400593.html Agent Provocateur sold to private equity firm 3i for £60m] ''The Independent'' 16 November 2007</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20170224155713/https://news.sky.com/story/3i-races-to-clinch-sale-of-struggling-agent-provocateur-10779173 3i races to clinch sale of struggling Agent Provocateur] ''Sky News'' 23 February 2017</ref> *Boxer TV Access (30%) purchased 2005, sold 2008<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20220623133542/https://www.3i.com/media-centre/corporate-and-portfolio-news/2008/3i-divests-stake-in-digital-tv-operator-boxer/ 3i divests stake in digital TV operator Boxer] 3i 19 November 2008</ref> *Chiltern Railways (26%) purchased 1996, sold 1999<ref>MBO preferred for Chiltern ''Rail Privatisation News'' issue 32 13 June 1996 page 1</ref><ref>Last management buy-out rail franchise prepares to be sold ''Rail'' issue 350 10 February 1999 page 11</ref> *DNA (13%) purchased 2007, sold 2009<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20220623135748/https://www.3i.com/media-centre/corporate-and-portfolio-news/2009/3i-divests-interest-in-finnish-telecoms-operator-dna-oy/ 3i divests interest in Finnish telecoms operator DNA Oy] 3i 18 December 2009</ref> *Dockwise, purchased 2006, sold 2009<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/dockwise-listing-idUSLJ71484020091019 Dockwise to list in Amsterdam, 3i exits] ''Reuters'' 19 October 2009</ref> *ERM (57%) purchased 2001, sold 2005<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20220623092523/https://www.theguardian.com/business/2011/may/15/erm-charterhouse-capital-partners Eco adviser ERM sold to Charterhouse Capital Partners] ''The Guardian'' 16 May 2011</ref> *Eversholt Rail Group, purchased 2010, sold 2015<ref>News in Brief ''Railway Gazette International'' December 2010 page 21</ref><ref>Eversholt sold ''Today's Railways UK'' issue 159 March 2015 page 14</ref> *Foster + Partners, purchased 2007, sold 2014<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20220623113400/https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/fosters-once-again-wholly-owned-after-3i-buy-out Foster once again wholly owned after 3i buy-out] ''Architects' Journal'' 30 June 2014</ref> *Freightliner (38%), purchased 1996, sold 2008<ref>Manager's bid wins Freightliner ''Rail'' issue 279 22 May 1996 page 6</ref><ref>Bahrain investment firm Arcapita buys Freightliner ''Rail'' issue 595 2 July 2008 page 19</ref> *Giraffe World Kitchen (40%), purchased 2006, sold 2013<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20210223005233/https://www.3i.com/media-centre/corporate-and-portfolio-news/2006/3i-invests-in-giraffe-restaurant-chain/ 3i invests in Giraffe restaurant chain] 3i 23 October 2006</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20210305230958/https://www.theguardian.com/business/2013/mar/13/tesco-buys-giraffe-child-friendly-restaurants Tesco buys child-friendly restaurant chain Giraffe for £50m] ''The Guardian'' 13 March 2013</ref> *Go, purchased 2001, sold 2002 <ref>[https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/1388980.stm BA sells Go for £100m] ''BBC News'' 14 June 2001</ref> *Great Western Holdings (25%) purchased 1996, sold 1998<ref>Wisconsin scoops freight as franchisees are chosen ''Railway Gazette International'' February 1996 page 69</ref><ref>Great Western Trains taken over by FirstGroup ''The Railway Magazine'' issue 1165 May 1998 page 11</ref> *HSS Hire, purchased 2003, sold 2007<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/business/2003/dec/17/8 Davis offloads HSS tool hire to 3i] ''The Guardian'' 17 December 2003</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20220623110114/https://www.3i.com/media-centre/corporate-and-portfolio-news/2007/hss-rejuvenated-and-sold-to-aurigo-and-och-ziff/ HSS rejuvenated and sold to Aurigo and Och-Ziff] 3i 13 June 2007</ref> *Little Sheep Group (11%), purchased 2006, sold 2009<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20220623134822/https://www.3i.com/media-centre/corporate-and-portfolio-news/2009/3i-concludes-successful-partnership-with-little-sheep/ 3i concludes successful partnership with Little Sheep] 3i 25 March 2009</ref> *Mayborn Group, purchased 2006, sold 2016<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20220623204512/https://www.penews.com/articles/three-i-sells-mayborn-after-ten-year-holding-period-20160429 3i Sells Mayborn After 10-Year Holding Period] ''Private Equity News'' 29 April 2016</ref> *MWM, purchased 2007, sold 2010<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20160209233549/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mwm-caterpillar-idUSTRE69L1IF20101022 Caterpillar buys 3i's engine maker MWM for $810 million] ''Reuters'' 22 October 2010</ref> *NSL, purchased 2005, sold 2010<ref>{{Cite web |last=Webb |first=Quentin |date=21 September 2010 |title=Green light for sale of UK parking-ticket firm NSL |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/3i-nsl-idUSLDE68K16820100921 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220623200442/https://www.reuters.com/article/3i-nsl-idUSLDE68K16820100921 |archive-date=23 June 2022 |website=Reuters}}</ref> *Petrofac (16%), purchased 2002, sold 2005<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20220623114341/https://www.3i.com/media-centre/corporate-and-portfolio-news/2005/3i-backed-petrofac-in-742m-flotation-on-london-stock-exchange/ 3i backed Petrofac in £742m flotation on London Stock Exchange] 3i 4 October 2005</ref> *Salamander Energy (15%), purchased 2005, sold 2006<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20220623121336/https://www.3i.com/media-centre/corporate-and-portfolio-news/2006/3i-backed-salamander-energy-in-405m-ipo-on-london-stock-exchange/ 3i backed Salamander Energy in $405m IPO on London Stock Exchange] 3i 5 December 2006</ref> *SLR Consulting (34%), purchased 2004, sold 2008<ref>[https://www.thetimes.com/uk/environment/article/3i-to-snap-up-share-of-slr-consulting-cc27ng0359j 3i to snap up SLR Consulting] ''The Times'' 8 March 2008</ref> *Target Express (70%), purchased 2000, sold 2006<ref>[https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/business/business-news/target-on-road-to-250m-float-1066259 Target on road to £250m float] ''Manchester Evening News'' 30 June 2005</ref> *TelecityGroup (45%) purchased 1998, sold 2010<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20130618103649/http://3i.com/news/corporate-news/3i-divests-stake-telecity-group 3i divests stake in Telecity Group] 3i 11 February 2010</ref> *Titan Airways, sold 2013<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20220623094048/https://aviationweek.com/air-transport/safety-ops-regulation/titan-airways-management-buyout-completed Titan Airways' management buyout completed] ''Aviation Week & Space Technology'' 22 February 2013</ref> *Tramlink (20%), purchased 1996, sold 2008<ref>Croydon Tramlink go-ahead ''Railway Gazette International'' September 1996 page 547</ref><ref>Croydon buy out ''Railway Gazette International'' April 2008 page 212</ref> *Travellers Fare purchased 1989, sold 1992<ref>Travellers Fare ''The Railway Magazine'' issue 1055 March 1989 page 144</ref> *VNU Business Media, purchased 2006, sold 2012<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-vnumedia-restructuring-sb-idUKTRE5721IN20090803 HG Capital secures stake in 3i-owned VNU Media] ''Reuters'' 3 August 2009</ref> *Weener Plastic Packaging: purchased 2015, sold 2024<ref>[http://www.3i.com/news/corporate-news/3i-invests-%E2%82%AC250m-weener-plastic-packaging-group 3i invests €250m in Weener Plastic Packaging Group] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150607021222/http://www.3i.com/news/corporate-news/3i-invests-%E2%82%AC250m-weener-plastic-packaging-group |date=7 June 2015 }} 3i 4 June 2015</ref> }}
==References== {{Reflist|30em}}
==External links== {{Portal|Companies}} *{{Official website}} {{Finance links | symbol = III | sec_cik = 1078716 | google = III:LON | yahoo = III.L | reuters = III.L }}
{{FTSE 100 Index constituents}} {{Private equity and venture capital}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:3i Category:Financial services companies established in 1945 Category:British companies established in 1945 Category:Companies listed on the London Stock Exchange Category:Financial services companies based in London Category:Private equity firms of the United Kingdom Category:Venture capital firms of the United Kingdom Category:Companies in the FTSE 100 Index