Holding in Company

Ashtead Group PLC
26 July 2000

                  DEALINGS BY SUBSTANTIAL SHAREHOLDERS


1)   NAME OF COMPANY

ASHTEAD GROUP PLC

2)   NAME OF SHAREHOLDER HAVING A MAJOR INTEREST

HENDERSON INVESTORS LIMITED AND ITS FELLOW SUBSIDIARIES
(INCLUDING HENDERSON FUND MANAGEMENT LIMITED)

3)   Please state whether notification indicates that it is in respect of 
     holding of the Shareholder named in 2 above or in respect of a 
     non-beneficial interest or in the case of an individual holder if it is a
     holding of that person's spouse or children under the age of 18

FUND MANAGER

4)   Name of the registered holder(s) and, if more than one holder, the 
     number of shares held by each of them.

NOT ADVISED

5)   Number of shares/amount of stock acquired.

250,000

6)   ( 0.08 %) of issued Class

7)   Number of shares/amount of stock disposed



8)   ( N/A %) of issued Class

9)   Class of security

10P ORDINARY SHARES

10)  Date of transaction

20.07.2000

11)  Date company informed

24.07.2000

12)  Total holding following this notification

35,628,040
    
13)  Total percentage holding of issued class following this notification

11.03%

14)  Any additional information



15)  Name of contact and telephone number for queries

R E CLARK
01372 377991

16)  Name and signature of authorised company official responsible for 
     making this notification

     Date of Notification ......26.07.2000..................