Of course everyone in a job should be grateful regardless. And no, never feel guilty of asking for a pay rise. no harm in asking, but just be prepared for it to be rejected. The record profits doesnt mean anything really, whether its a direct result of person X or whoever. You have to ask yourself, is it actually a direct result of YOU or a direct result of you just doing your job, what your paid to do? Could you (or person X ) be easliy replaced next week? if not, then yeah ask for a pay rise. If you could easily be replaced, then yes still ask for one, but it may just rock the boat if people are willing to do the job for the same amount or even less.