Automattic board out after failed attempt to oust Mullenweg

Internal turmoil at Automattic, the parent company of WordPress.com, has resulted in the exit of its board of directors following an unsuccessful attempt to remove CEO and WordPress founder Matt Mullenweg. Late last week, Mullenweg informed company staff via a Slack post that he was back in control, an outcome that Automattic officially confirmed shortly thereafter.

Following the vote, Mullenweg accused the board of conspiring against him in an internal Slack message. Sources initially indicated to TechCrunch that Toni Schneider, a founding CEO at Automattic who currently leads the open social network Bluesky, had resigned from his board seat and subsequently removed mention of his Automattic contributions from his personal website bio.

This boardroom fallout highlights a critical governance crisis within Automattic as it navigates intense legal and structural pressures. Clashes between a founder-CEO and a board often expose deep-seated disagreements over strategic direction, particularly during high-stakes external litigation.

Reports also confirm that Mullenweg removed the two remaining board members, Sue Decker and Gen. Ann Dunwoody. When approached for comment, Automattic declined to offer specifics regarding the board overhaul but issued a statement confirming that departures had taken place, with an internal announcement regarding the new board expected on Monday.

While the exact catalyst for the board's vote remains murky, the upheaval coincides with a high-profile legal battle between Automattic and WordPress hosting company WP Engine. Mullenweg has previously accused WP Engine of trademark infringement and failing to contribute adequately to open source efforts, while WP Engine has countersued over alleged royalty plans and claims of destroyed evidence.

Source: TechCrunch