Holding(s) in Company

Ashtead Group plc

01 August 2008

                               ASHTEAD GROUP PLC                               

                            Ordinary Shares of 10p                             

Ashtead Group plc announces it has been advised that on 31 July 2008, Standard
Life Investments Ltd were directly interested in a total of 36,088,456 shares
(or 7.06% of its share capital) and indirectly interested in 40,728,040 (or
7.97% of its share capital).

Enquiries:

Ashtead Group plc 020 7726 9740

Eric Watkins