Howard spans generations of lighting designers and shows: he was an assistant to lighting designer Joe Davis, before going on to be the person responsible for making the designs of David Hersey, Andrew Bridge and countless others work as the production electrician for shows including Cats, Starlight and The Phantom of the Opera. He still re-lights versions of those shows around the world.

With his company Howard Eaton Lighting Limited, he has made practicals and special effects from Phantom’s falling chandelier to the flying car in Chitty to the giant rings of fire that opened the London 2012 Olympics. He was awarded PLASA’s Gottelier Award in 2023.