Des Brogan, Director, is founder, owner and inspiration behind Mercat Tours Ltd. An historian first and last, Des has had the vision and personal qualities to lead his ever-expanding team from success to success. Des is also owner and director of Mercat's two sister companies, Mercat Tours International and Underground Edinburgh.
	Shirley ‘Can Do’ Suliman keeps the show on the road for scheduled tours and private bookings as Head of Operations. Ably assisted by Jane and Nan, Shirley has responsibility for staffing, briefing our guides and on-sales street staff. Shirley and her team are the people to speak to if you want to personalise your private booking in any way.
	Jane Calwell, Operations Assistant, is Shirley’s right hand person. In addition Jane deals with all invoicing, can lead masterclasses in writing Excel formulae, on occasion takes a tour herself – and bakes us the most wonderful cakes.
	Frances Mann is Mercat’s Head of Product. Frances ensures our public tours are kept under constant review and provides on-going quality guidance and training for our team of guides. Frances also has lead responsibility for new product development, which allows her pawky sense of humour and felicitous turn of phrase full scope.
	Nan Roberts is our very own Little Miss Helpful – our Receptionist, your first point of contact on ringing or visiting the Mercat Tours office. In addition Nan provides sterling support to Shirley and Jane in Operations and to Des with Mercat Tours International.
	Olive Beaton has real skill with words – so we have put her to work with figures! Olive is our part-time Finance Assistant who deals with all Mercat’s suppliers. Jane is responsible for invoicing customers. (Olive does sometimes answer the phone: the ensuing conversations are always a delight to overhear!)
	Paul Waring is our highly versatile, long-suffering General Factotum. Paul is given all those jobs that nobody else wants but which are absolutely essential for the company to run smoothly. As one of the only two males in the Office, Paul is something of an endangered species.
	Arnold "bone idle" McTavish Our resident prop, Arnold had been dying to work for Mercat since he was a corpse. Known for his ability to lie around and look sinister, he can often be found in the darkest corners of the underground vaults, ready to scare an unsuspecting visitor. He is a sleeping partner in the company and has special responsibility for skeleton staff. Arnold enjoys sailing and basketball.