Director/PDMR Shareholding

Ashtead Group plc

1st October 2007

                               ASHTEAD GROUP PLC                               

                          Share Purchase by Directors                          

Ashtead Group plc announces that the following director has today purchased
ordinary 10p shares in the Company as follows:

                   No of 10p         Purchase     Total number  % of Issued  
                Ordinary Shares       price        of Shares   Share Capital
                   purchased                         held                   
                                                                             
B Edwards           20,000           105.00p         20,000        0.003%    
                                                                             

Contact:

Eric Watkins                                          020 7726 9700