Director Shareholding

Ashtead Group PLC
19 March 2002


Ashtead Group Plc
Ordinary Shares of 10p

The Company reports that the following option awards under the Company's 
Unapproved Share Option Plan were made to directors on 26 February 2002:

                    Number of Shares under Option      Option Exercise Price 
Bruce Dressel                        300,000                   41.5p 
Ian Robson                           300,000                   41.5p

At the date of his appointment on 4 March 2002 Mr Sat Dahiwal held the following 
options:

Date Granted        Number of Shares under Option      Option Exercise Price

Unapproved Scheme:
28 February 1997                      40,000                 132.25p 
03 February 1998                      32,500                 184.20p 
26 February 1999                      50,000                 172.50p 
09 February 2001                      35,000                 125.00p 
26 February 2002                      28,000                  41.50p

Approved Scheme:
26 February 2002                      72,000                  41.50p


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