Who are we?
legitima was founded by Gilles Marchand, former Director General of SSR – the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation.
A recognized expert in complex environments, he led major public and cultural institutions for over two decades amidst intense political, societal, and economic pressures.
His experience led to a key insight: an organization’s survival and ability to transform is not based solely on governance or performance — but on its capacity to face paradoxes and maintain coherent legitimacy.
legitima brings together a network of senior experts, scholars, and practitioners to craft durable, nuanced responses to legitimacy challenges.
legitima has launched a joint offering with the global communication consultancy Leidar.
We work directly with leaders. In confidence. Over time.
Gilles Marchand
Founding partner
2025, Director, Media Philanthropy Initiative University of Geneva
2025, Founder, legitima, legitimacy consulting firm
2025, President, International Alpine Film Festival of Les Diablerets
2024, Board Member, Locarno International Film Festival
2017–2024, CEO, SRG SSR, Swiss public broadcasting service
2001–2017, Director, RTS, French-speaking Swiss public broadcasting service
2016–2024, Executive Board Member, EBU (European Broadcasting Union) – Eurovision
2013–2017, Member, Swiss Federal Media Commission
2005–2025, Board Member, TV5Monde
Network of experts
Lukasz M. Bochenek
Expert - CEO of Leidar
Lukasz is CEO of Leidar. He oversees key international client projects and relationships. In addition, he manages external partnerships and memberships of Leidar.
He is a speaker at international conferences and was a Co-Creator and Co-Director of the Executive Certificate Advocacy in International Affairs, delivered in partnership with the Graduate Institute in Geneva. He has published a book on “Advocacy and Organizational Engagement“ which defines the core building blocks of modern advocacy.
Lukasz holds a PhD in management studies from the University of Neuchâtel, Switzerland,
with the highest distinction, ‘summa cum laude’. His research focused on the role of organisational learning and Corporate Social Responsibility in corporate communication
strategic management. He also holds LLM in International Corporate and Commercial Law
from King’s College London, an MA in communication from the University of Geneva,
Switzerland and a BA in social anthropology.
Luca Geisseler
Expert - Switzerland (Zurich)
Sylvain Lafrance
Expert - Canada
Member of the Ordre du Canada, Chevalier de la Légion d’honneur, Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, Chevalier de l’Ordre de la Pléiade
Chair of the Board of Directors, Telefilm Canada
Chair of the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec
2011–2025, Associate Professor and Director of the Media Hub, HEC Montréal
2005–2011, Senior Vice President, French Services, CBC/Radio-Canada
2000–2005, Director General, Radio, Television and Internet, CBC/Radio-Canada
Member of the Board of Directors, TV5Monde
President, Community of French-speaking Public Radio Broadcasters
Member of the Board of Directors, Attraction Médias
Claude-Yves Robin
Expert - France
Graduate of the École de Management de Lyon, Officer of Arts and Letters, Knight of the National Order of Merit
2025, Independent consultant specializing in audiovisual and institutional strategy
2013–2024, Led development projects in France, Africa, and the Middle East, including tailored team building, business plans, and fundraising
2005–2012, Managing Director at France Télévisions, successively heading France 5 and France 4, then the group’s strategy, and finally France 2
1991–2005, Managing Director of CANALJ and creator of the youth thematic channel offering of the Lagardère Group (TiJi, Elle Girl, Gulli) in France and abroad
1988–1991, Founding Secretary General of TV8 Mont-Blanc
