Someone seen as his key rival to replace Swinney in the years ahead – Màiri McAllan – remains in government having been switched from housing to education secretary.
For a while, she was seen as the most obvious choice for deputy first minister – a role she did not secure.
I don’t think she has fallen out of favour but as a younger member of the team she is perhaps seen as having plenty of time to grow in government.
Instead it was Jenny Gilruth who was elevated to the deputy first minister position.
There were signs she was on the way up during the election campaign, not least when she was chosen to introduce Swinney at the SNP’s manifesto launch.
As deputy first minister, it seems she will now share responsibility with the first minster for putting the party’s policy promises into practice.
As a former teacher, Gilruth has plenty of experience in checking on progress, marking homework and keeping others focused on the task in hand.
These are skills she may need to draw upon as a deputy first minister and finance secretary who has said she will dedicate herself to delivering.
The finance part of the job puts her in charge of devolved taxation and spending – an exceptionally challenging role at a time when cash is becoming tighter.
International conflict is driving up the cost of energy here which could soon cause price rises across the economy, making her task even more difficult.
Swinney praised Gilruth for avoiding strikes as education secretary. Faced with demands for increased pay from across the public services, it may not be possible for her to keep everyone happy.