Automattic board forces CEO Matt Mullenweg on leave
Automattic's board of directors has voted to put co-founder and CEO Matt Mullenweg on a leave of absence, appointing Mark Davies as interim CEO.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Automattic co-founder and CEO Matt Mullenweg was forced onto a leave of absence by the board.
- Mark Davies was voted in as the interim CEO to replace him.
- The company has faced years of legal battles with WP Engine and internal controversies.
Matt Mullenweg, the founder and CEO of Automattic—best known as the parent company of WordPress.com alongside Tumblr, WooCommerce, and Pocket Casts—has been placed on a leave of absence against his will by the company board, according to a Slack message seen by TechCrunch.
In the Slack message, Mullenweg explained that he would miss a meeting because Mark Davies conspired with Ann Dunwoody, Toni, and Sue Decker behind his back to vote him onto a paid leave of absence, noting that he voted against it. He received the resolution only 50 minutes before the meeting started and had his requests for review by independent legal counsel denied.
Automattic confirmed to TechCrunch via an emailed statement that Mullenweg is on leave. Davies informed employees in the Slack channel that Mullenweg remains on the board of directors, while sources indicated that former CEO Schneider initiated the board's action.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Under Mullenweg's leadership, the company has been embroiled in ongoing controversies and lawsuits, most notably a prolonged legal battle with WordPress hosting rival WP Engine. The dispute erupted after Mullenweg demanded WP Engine pay an 8% royalty fee for utilizing the WordPress brand without contributing to the open-source community, leading to mutual lawsuits starting in October 2024.
"Mark Davies has conspired with Ann Dunwoody, Toni, and Sue Decker behind my back and they voted to put me on a paid leave of absence."
Matt Mullenweg
Internal tensions also peaked in 2024 when Mullenweg told employees who disagreed with him to resign with severance, prompting 159 workers to leave. Furthermore, Automattic laid off 16% of its workforce in April 2025, affecting numerous longtime employees.
The board's decision to sideline Matt Mullenweg marks a monumental turning point for Automattic and the broader WordPress community. Years of escalating legal confrontation with competitors, controversial community management policies, and workforce reductions have clearly tested the board's patience, prompting intervention to restore operational stability.
Employee reactions to the sudden shakeup have been mixed, with some feeling ecstatic or relieved while others worry about growing instability. Mullenweg did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the board's decision.
Source: TechCrunch
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