Caithness and Sutherland Enterprise (CASE) is helping a Helmsdale woman to start her own consultancy business.

Shona Blance's new venture will offer small to medium sized enterprises expert advice in employment law, human resources management and Information Communications Technology (ICT) solutions.  Her ICT services are specifically being targeted at the cultural heritage sector, especially those seeking the digitisation of material.

Shona has been awarded a financial package via the HIE-Starts programme to help her establish S Blance Associates Limited.  HIE-Starts is a Network-wide initiative designed to help new businesses by providing a regular income for the first twelve months of trading, usually the most difficult time for fledgling businesses.

Ms Blance said: "I would like to thank Colin Ritchie and CASE for their assistance and financial support. 

"This is an exciting time on the ICT front in the cultural heritage sector and the company is looking forward to working in research and development and on digitisation projects that will make material more accessible to the general public.

"Our Employment Law and Human Resources Management services will provide high quality practical advice and input at affordable prices."

HIE-Starts counsellor for CASE, Colin Ritchie said: "I am sure that small and medium sized enterprises in the area will find Ms Blance's services extremely useful.

"Most businesses in the Highlands and Islands are quite small and therefore do not have the in-house expertise to negotiate complex employment legislation and human resources issues."