The chief executive of 3i, Michael Queen, has spent £275,000 on shares in the private equity group.

He took 100,000 shares at just over 275p a time.

Finance director Julia Wilson, meanwhile, took 10,000 shares at 272.6p a time.

3i last month upped its dividend by 20% after reporting a sharp rise in investments in the year to 31 March.

"High quality new investment has always been central to future value growth for our shareholders," said chairman Sir Adrian Montague.

Top Director Buys

3i Group (III)
Director name: Mr Michael James Queen
Amount purchased: 100,000 @ 275.08p
Value: £275,080

Centaur Media (CAU)
Director name: Mr Patrick Taylor
Amount purchased: 100,000 @ 54.50p
Value: £54,500

Salamander Energy (SMDR)
Director name: Mr James Menzies
Amount purchased: 20,000 @ 269.50p
Value: £53,900

Tate & Lyle (TATE)
Director name: Sir Peter Gershon
Amount purchased: 6,125 @ 652.00p
Value: £39,935

Inland (INL)
Director name: Mr Nishith Motilal Meghji Malde
Amount purchased: 150,000 @ 19.50p
Value: £29,250

3i Group (III)
Director name: Mrs Julia Wilson
Amount purchased: 10,000 @ 272.60p
Value: £27,260

Savile Group (SAVG)
Director name: Mr Jonathan Cohen
Amount purchased: 235,526 @ 8.51p
Value: £20,043

Savile Group (SAVG)
Director name: Mr Peter David Conroy
Amount purchased: 235,525 @ 8.51p
Value: £20,043

Deo Petroleum (DEO)
Director name: Mr Kevin Burke
Amount purchased: 40,000 @ 44.85p
Value: £17,940


Top Director Sells
Andrews Sykes Group (ASY)
Director name: Mr Emmanuel Sebag
Amount sold: 6,840 @ 205.50p
Value: £14,056

Andrews Sykes Group (ASY)
Director name: Mr Emmanuel Sebag
Amount sold: 6,376 @ 208.75p
Value: £13,310

Related share prices
3i Group (III) share price
Tate & Lyle (TATE) share price
Andrews Sykes Group (ASY) share price
Savile Group (SAVG) share price
Deo Petroleum (DEO) share price
Centaur Media (CAU) share price
Salamander Energy (SMDR) share price
Inland Homes (INL) share price