Tara Askham to Support UK Government in Updating Entrepreneur Rules

By: WE staff | Friday, 14 November 2025

• Nottingham finance lecturer Tara Askham has been appointed to the government's Maple Review Steering Committee
• The review focuses on the identification and addressing of barriers faced by entrepreneurs from areas in the UK

Nottingham-based finance lecturer, author, and mentor Tara Askham has been appointed to the UK government's Maple Review Steering Committee, an independent review focused on identifying and addressing barriers that economic deprivation creates for entrepreneurs.

The Maple Review, sponsored by Xero and chaired by Small Business Britain, draws together insights from right around the UK to help ensure equal opportunities for enterprise creation and growth.

Tara's appointment marks the significant milestone of a professional career nurtured by her experiences in Nottingham, early in her career, when she faced challenges related to lack of access to finance, networks, and mentors.

She wants to use this background to support efforts that drive meaningful improvements for entrepreneurs in similar circumstances.

Askham is a qualified finance lecturer, published accounting author, and Fellow of the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT).

With more than ten years of experience in using finance education to support individuals and organizations, her work includes contributing to nationally recognized qualifications, such as the UK's first Access to Higher Education Diploma in Accountancy, and creating global learning content for ACCA-X.

She also has designed training programs for a range of organizations, from major companies to local charities and public sector bodies.

She has also mentored numerous entrepreneurs through various initiatives, including Santander's Breakthrough Women Leaders, Enterprise Nation's Help to Grow, and UnLtd, helping them to create sustainable and purpose-led businesses.

Her appointment follows her participation in discussions at the House of Lords, where she contributed insights as a business owner from an economically deprived area and pointed out the challenges of building a business outside London. This led to her invitation to join the Maple Review steering group.

Tara explained that when people have the knowledge, confidence, and support they need, entrepreneurship can have powerful positive effects. She added that business opportunities have to be within reach of everyone in the country.

The first meeting of its steering committee is scheduled for December this year. The current Call for Evidence invites entrepreneurs, policymakers, and community leaders to share their experiences of setting up and running businesses in economically disadvantaged areas.