Directorate Change

Ashtead Group PLC

                              Directorate Change                               

Ashtead Group PLC ("Ashtead") today announces the appointment of Joseph (Joe)
James Phelan, as president and Chief Executive Officer of its US Subsidiary,
Sunbelt Rentals Inc. ("Sunbelt"). Mr Phelan will also join the Board of Ashtead
as an executive director. Both appointments will become effective in mid-April
and follow the successful culmination of a full recruitment process.

Ashtead also announces the departure of Cliff Miller, the CEO of Sunbelt, after
13 years with the Group. Cliff formally ceased being a director of Ashtead and
of Sunbelt as from the close of business on 6 April 2009.

Joe Phelan is a US citizen and joins Ashtead from Deutsche Post DHL where, most
recently, he has been CEO of DHL Global Mail based in Weston, Florida. Joe was
also a member of the Deutsche Post executive committee. Before joining DHL in
2004, Joe held a number of senior executive positions with American Airlines.

Geoff Drabble, chief executive of Ashtead Group PLC commented:

"We are delighted to welcome Joe, who has a wealth of experience in logistics
and change management and in running large, multi-location businesses. We
anticipate that Joe will be instrumental in helping us take Sunbelt onto the
next stage in its development. We also thank Cliff Miller for his efforts in
helping us develop Sunbelt from the small regional rental business it was when
he joined it in 1996 to the large nationwide rental company it is today."

In accordance with paragraph 9.6.13 (1)-(6) of the Listing Rules, Joe Phelan
has advised that he has no details to disclose.


Contacts:

Geoff Drabble, CEO Ashtead Group PLC        020 7726 9700                    
                                                                             
Brian Hudspith, Maitland                    020 7379 5151