SWNS Media Group was founded as the Bristol Agency in the early 1970s by Roland Arblaster. It is now run by
directors Andrew Young, Paul Walters and Martin Winter. In 2010, SWNS launched the website SWNS.com (Small World News Service) as a first-hand source of current affairs and general interest news. In 2016, SWNS acquired the regional agencies Masons News Service, Newsteam International, Ross Parry, National News, Centre Press and Northscot. SWNS previous had a relationship with the alternative news website venture
The London Economic, though it was understood not to leverage any editorial control. Notable previous employees include
Times editor
Tony Gallagher,
Telegraph editor
Chris Evans, former
Sun editor
Stuart Higgins, former
Sunday Telegraph editor
Ian MacGregor, former
Sunday Mirror editor
Tina Weaver,
Sky News correspondent
Tamara Cohen and former
Downing Street Director of Communications
Lee Cain. ==Criticism==