Director Shareholding

Ashtead Group PLC
29 April 2005









Ashtead Group plc

29th April 2005

                               ASHTEAD GROUP PLC

                           Director's Share Purchase

                             Ordinary Shares of 10p

Ashtead Group plc announces that on 27th April 2005 Geoffrey Drabble purchased
10,000 ordinary shares in the Company (0.003% of the issued share capital) at a
price of 0.90p per share


Contacts:

Cob Stenham         Chairman             020 7299 5562
George Burnett      Chief Executive      01372 362300
Ian Robson          Finance Director     01372 362300








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