Asher has spent over 30 years as a community activist, leader, management consultant and now local politician.  She has championed the needs of the voice-less, with a particular emphasis on the social-economic development of  Black, minoritised and under-represented communities.  She has led and Chaired a number of major partnerships and organisations at local, regional and national level and has worked in the field of employment & training, education & skills,  recruitment, advocacy, equality & diversity within local government and the third sector.

Asher was elected as the Labour Councillor for the ward of St George West, Bristol in May 2016 and was appointed to the Cabinet with the wide reaching portfolio of Neighbourhoods in August 2016.

In March 2017 Asher was asked to step into the new role of Deputy Mayor – Communities, bringing into & elevating the issue of Public Health within her new portfolio.  She is committed to addressing the inequities and multi-level public health risks that impact diverse urban populations through the lens of racial and ethnic health disparities at all levels. This has included work towards a more holistic, sustainable, inclusive and healthier food system, resulting in Bristol achieving Gold Sustainable Food City status in 2021 and building upon this momentum to produce the Bristol Good Food 2030 Framework and Actions plans in 2022.

In October 2021 she was appointed to a new portfolio comprising Children’s Services, Education and Equalities and launched Bristol’s ‘Belonging Strategy’ for Children and Young People.  Created with partners, children, young people and their families, the strategy sets out the city’s shared intent to improve inclusion and reduce inequality for all our children. 

One of Asher’s proudest achievements is the development of a new ground-breaking and multiple award-winning Stepping Up leadership programme, using the Bristol “One City Approach”.