Gilles Marchand has extensive experience in leadership roles within the media and cultural sectors. Currently a member of the board of directors for the Locarno Film Festival and TV5MONDE, Marchand also serves on the strategic orientation council at the University of Geneva and is a member of the executive board of the EBU. Previously, Marchand held the position of general director at SRG SSR and was involved with Admeira as a board member, as well as with Les Medias Francophones Publics and the Prix Italia as president. Marchand was also a member of the supervisory board for euronews and served as vice president of the Fondation pour la sauvegarde des archives de la radio télévision suisse. Marchand holds a master's degree in sociology from the University of Geneva, obtained between 1980 and 1984.