Askham, who built her career from a working-class background in Nottingham, first became involved with the Maple Review after being invited to share her experiences at the House of Lords earlier this year. Speaking about the challenges faced by founders outside major economic centres, she highlighted how the lack of access to funding, networks, and financial literacy continues to hold back talent in regions like the Midlands.

“Coming from an area where opportunities are often limited, I know how hard it can be to start or grow a business without the same access to finance or connections,” said Askham. “Being invited to help shape the Maple Review means I can use that lived experience to help make entrepreneurship more inclusive for everyone.”

A Fellow of the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT), Askham has written globally delivered accounting content, including ACCA-X and the UK’s first Access to Higher Education Diploma in Accountancy. Through her consultancy and training work, she has helped organisations ranging from Volkswagen to social enterprises and SMEs build financial confidence and commercial awareness.

In addition to her educational work, Tara mentors entrepreneurs through Enterprise Nation’s Help to Grow, Santander’s Breakthrough Women Leaders Programme, and UnLtd, and volunteers on NatWest’s Social and Community Capital Funding Panel, supporting social enterprises and charities that struggle to access mainstream finance. She also serves on Xero’s Financial Confidence Taskforce, which campaigns to strengthen financial education from schools to small businesses.

“Setting up a business should be exciting, not overwhelming,” said Askham. “Where you live or what background you come from shouldn’t hold you back. We need to make it simpler, more accessible, and give people the confidence and knowledge to succeed.”

Recognised among Small Business Britain’s Top 100 Female Entrepreneurs (2025) and a two-time Theo Paphitis Small Business Sunday winner, Tara has dedicated her career to making finance accessible and empowering people to use numbers to drive growth and change.

The Maple Review Steering Committee will meet for the first time in December. Its findings will inform government policy to help level the playing field for entrepreneurs across the UK.

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