Directorate Change

Ashtead Group PLC
20 August 2004


                               ASHTEAD GROUP PLC


                             Non-executive Director


Ashtead Group plc is pleased to announce that Gary Iceton will be appointed as a
non-executive director with effect from 1 September 2004.  From 1984 until July
2000, Gary Iceton was Chairman and Chief Executive of the Books Division of St
Ives plc and also a main board director.  More recently, he was Chairman of
Jarrold Limited for the past eighteen months and, prior to that, CEO of
Amertrans.


For further information contact:

Cob Stenham       Chairman           Ashtead Group plc       0207 299 5562
George Burnett    Chief Executive    Ashtead Group plc       01372 362300







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