7 July, 2003

Directorate Change

Ashtead Group plc announces that Bruce Dressel, the President and Chief Executive Officer of its US subsidiary, Sunbelt Rentals Inc, has left the Company.

George Burnett, Ashtead Group Chief Executive, will be based in the USA for the foreseeable future and the Sunbelt senior management team will report directly to him.

Sunbelt continues to be one of the strongest companies in the rental business. The Group is committed to consolidating Sunbelt's number four position in the US rental market and taking advantage of growth opportunities as they arise.