Re Directorate

Ashtead Group PLC
2 January 2002


NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

The Company is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Christopher Cole as a 
non-executive director of the Company from 1 January 2002.

Mr Cole, a chartered engineer by profession, was Managing Director of WSP Group 
from 1987 until his appointment as its Chief Executive in 2001. WSP is an 
international consultancy operating in the built environment. He brings to our 
Company considerable expertise and experience from a growing international 
business as well as wide experience of the construction industry.