He left aged 17 for a job on Edinburgh's outpost of L!VE TV as a sports reporter and presenter.
He received a Commendation in a regional division of the Royal Television Society (North East & Border) as a Promising Newcomer.
In 2003 he joined Sky Sports News as North East Correspondent in Newcastle but relocated to London in March 2004.
In July 2021, Swanson announced that he would be leaving Sky Sports News after 18 years on the channel.
He tweeted, "Today is my final day at Sky Studios, before leaving the company next week, rounding off an incredible 18-year journey," and confirmed that he was joining FIFA as Director of Media Relations.