Appointed February 2016 as chief technology and information officer and became chief technology officer in March 2021. In September 2022, Howard's role expanded to put security at the core of the business to accelerate BT's ambition to become the world's most trusted connector of people, devices and machines and become the Chief Security and Networks Officer.

Howard was formerly chief architect and managing director, global IT systems and led the technical teams behind the launch of BT Sport in 2013. Howard joined BT in 2011 and has 40 years of telecoms experience having spent time at Telewest Communications (now Virgin Media) and Cartesian, a telecommunications consultancy and software company.

Howard is a Fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology, the British Computer Society and a William Pitt Fellow.