3i, the UK private equity firm, has recruited Robert Swannell, one of Citigroup's most senior investment bankers and vice-chairman of its European business, as a non-executive director.

Swannell, who will assume the role at 3i from the start of September, will be the only practising investment banker on the private equity firm's board of directors, although the firm has strong boardroom links with the City financial services industry.