Director/PDMR Shareholding

Ashtead Group plc

31st October 2007

                               ASHTEAD GROUP PLC                               

                         Performance Share Plan - 2004                         

Ashtead Group plc announces that the 200,364, 145,192 and 190,144 ordinary
shares conditionally awarded to Mr S I Robson, Mr S Dhaiwal and Mr C Miller
respectively on 6th October 2004 under the Company's 2004 Performance Share
Plan Award have, as at 30th October 2007, vested unconditionally as the
performance criteria attaching to the award have been met in full.

Following the vesting of the above award the beneficial holdings of Mr Robson,
Mr Dhaiwal and Mr Miller are:-

                Total number of shares    Percentage of      
                held                      issued share       
                                          capital            
                                                             
Mr Robson       1,024,540                 0.18%              
                                                             
Mr Dhaiwal        364,407                 0.06%              
                                                             
Mr Miller         447,351                 0.08%              

Additionally, Mr Robson and Mr Dhaiwal conditionally hold 354,213 and 201,481
ordinary shares respectively under the Company's Performance Share Plan.