Director Shareholding

Ashtead Group PLC
23 March 2005



                               ASHTEAD GROUP PLC

                           Director's Share Purchase

                             Ordinary Shares of 10p


Ashtead Group plc announces that Ian Robson has today purchased 30,000 Ordinary
shares in the Company (0.0092% of the issued share capital) at a price of 0.00p
per share.


Contacts:

Cob Stenham       Chairman           Ashtead Group plc       0207 299 5562
George Burnett    Chief Executive    Ashtead Group plc       01372 362300



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