(Sharecast News) - 3i Group revealed on Friday that chief executive Simon Borrows had acquired 50,000 ordinary shares in the FTSE 100-listed private equity and venture capital company a day earlier.Borrows, who took over as CEO back in 2012, bought the shares at an average price of 1,051p each, for a total value of £525,500.3i said on Thursday that it was cautious about market conditions as the investment company reported a total return of 18% for last year.The London-based firm's total return for the year to the end of March was £1.25bn, or 18%, compared with £1.43bn, or 24%, a year earlier. 3i's net asset value per share rose to 815p from 724p.3i said it was wary about this year as political and economic uncertainty combined with an increase in funds looking to invest in its markets.As of 1620 BST, 3i shares had dipped 1.33% to 1,073p.Top Director Buys3i Group (III)Director name: Mr Simon BorrowsAmount purchased: 50,000 @ 1,051.00pValue: £525,500 Woodbois Limited (WBI)Director name: Mr Miles C PelhamAmount purchased: 1,480,000 @ 6.60pValue: £97,680 NextEnergy Solar Fund Limited Red (NESF)Director name: Ms Susan InglisAmount purchased: 50,000 @ 120.32pValue: £60,160 NextEnergy Solar Fund Limited Red (NESF)Director name: Ms Susan InglisAmount purchased: 50,000 @ 120.32pValue: £60,160 Sigma Capital Group (SGM)Director name: Mr James C. McMahonAmount purchased: 41,203 @ 117.00pValue: £48,208 Diversified Gas & Oil (DGOC)Director name: Mr David Edward JohnsonAmount purchased: 20,000 @ 128.90pValue: £25,780 Air Partner (AIR)Director name: Mr Edmond WarnerAmount purchased: 25,000 @ 92.00pValue: £23,000 Valeura Energy Inc NPV (DI) (VLU)Director name: Mr Russell HiscockAmount purchased: 10,000 @ 145.00pValue: £14,500 Top Director SellsSchroders (SDR)Director name: Mr Michael W R DobsonAmount sold: 58,106 @ 3,069.65pValue: £1,783,651 Schroders (SDR)Director name: Mr Michael W R DobsonAmount sold: 39,137 @ 3,069.65pValue: £1,201,369 Schroders (SDR)Director name: Mr Michael W R DobsonAmount sold: 33,517 @ 3,069.65pValue: £1,028,855 Schroders (SDR)Director name: Mr Michael W R DobsonAmount sold: 29,653 @ 3,069.65pValue: £910,243 Schroders (SDR)Director name: Mr Michael W R DobsonAmount sold: 29,219 @ 3,069.65pValue: £896,921