The move, predicted by insiders, runs counter to the view of many, who believe the governors should be more independent of the BBC in the wake of the Hutton fiasco.
Faced with criticisms from MPs over profligate BBC spending, Thompson is expected to cut budgets on non-core BBC activities, including marketing, as he and Grade attempt to defend the size of the existing license fee.
Under Thompson's predecessor, Greg Dyke, the BBC enjoyed record levels of marketing spend. It was given a budget of £20m for one of the UK's biggest ever outdoor campaigns, and its on-air cross-promotions are estimated to be worth hundreds of millions of pounds.
Although said to be a marketing believer, one of Thompson's first moves on joining Channel 4, was to close Film 4's production operation and axe strategy and development head David Brook.
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