Director/PDMR Shareholding

Ashtead Group PLC
23 September 2005





Ashtead Group plc


23rd September 2005



                                 Ashtead Group plc

                             Director's Share Dealing

Ashtead Group plc announces that its Chief Executive Mr GB Burnett has today
exercised and sold 487,494 ordinary shares at a price of £1.40 granted to him
under the Group's Unapproved Share Option Scheme in 1995.  This option, if not
exercised, would otherwise have lapsed on 27th September 2005, the tenth
anniversary of the date of grant.

Mr Burnett continues to hold options and conditional performance related awards
under the Group's various incentive schemes in respect of 1,853,042 shares.

Mr Burnett continues to hold beneficially 12,841,472 ordinary shares
representing 3.2% of the Group's paid up 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



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