Director/PDMR Shareholding

Ashtead Group plc

7 August 2006
 

                               ASHTEAD GROUP PLC                          

                     Directors' Exercise of Share Options                      

                            Ordinary Shares of 10p                             

Ashtead Group plc announces that on 31 May 2006 both George Burnett and Sat
Dhaiwal exercised their options under the Company's SAYE Sharesave Scheme and
each purchased 24,029 Ordinary shares in the Company.  These purchases were
made at the conclusion of the three year savings period at the option price of
24.27p per share.  This means that Mr Burnett now beneficially holds 12,865,501
shares in the Company representing 3.2% of the issued share capital and Mr
Dhaiwal now owns 72,422 shares in the Company representing 0.02% of the issued
share capital.

  

Contacts:                                            
                                               
Cob Stenham    Non-executive Chairman   020 7299 5562
                                                     
George Burnett Chief Executive Officer  01372 362300 
                                                     
Brian Hudspith The Maitland Consultancy 020 7379 5151