After a strong year for realisations and investment returns, 3i Group on Thursday reiterated its decision to return £800m to shareholders, saying that the move would not “compromise our ambition to grow assets” and that it would continue to expand the private equity and venture capital group’s range of activities.

However, Philip Yea, chief executive, hinted that following a high level of sales of investments last year, 3i’’s portfolio was now younger and realisations would slow in the current year.