Director/PDMR Shareholding

Ashtead Group plc

11 December 2007

                               ASHTEAD GROUP PLC                               

                          Director/PDMR Shareholding                           

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

                   No of 10p         Purchase     Total number  % of Issued  
                Ordinary Shares                     of Shares   Share Capital
                   purchased          price           held                   
                                                                             
S Dhaiwal           27,599            90.43p         330,346        0.06%    
                                                                             
                                 (average price)                             
                                                                             
H Etheridge         10,000            86.99p         20,000        0.004%    

Additionally Mr Dhaiwal conditionally holds 201,481 ordinary 10p shares under
the Company's Performance Share Plan.

Contact:

Eric Watkins                                          020 7726 9700