Ashtead Group plc announced that Geoff Drabble has decided to step down from his role as Chief Executive at the end of the current financial year on 1 May 2019 and to retire from the Group on 30 November 2019.  He will be succeeded on 1 May by Brendan Horgan, currently Group Chief Operating Officer and Chief Executive of Sunbelt Rentals the Group's North American business which accounted for 87% of the Group's revenue in the last financial year. Geoff will work closely with Brendan and the Board over the next few months to ensure a smooth transition and be available thereafter to support the business until he leaves the Group.