Automattic Board Places CEO Matt Mullenweg on Paid Leave
WordPress founder forced into temporary absence while CFO takes interim leadership role.
By TechVaultHub Staff · · Updated September 9, 2026
The board of directors at Automattic has placed founder and CEO Matt Mullenweg on a mandatory paid leave of absence against his wishes. CFO Mark Davies has been appointed to serve as the company's interim CEO during this period.
The Leadership Shakeup
Matt Mullenweg, the high-profile founder of the parent company behind WordPress.com, has been sidelined by his own board of directors. The shift occurred on September 9, 2026, when Mullenweg announced via an internal company Slack message that he had been placed on a forced, paid leave of absence. In his communication to staff, Mullenweg characterized the decision as a coordinated move led by CFO Mark Davies, who has now assumed the role of interim CEO. Mullenweg claimed he received the board's resolution just 50 minutes before the vote and was denied his request for a brief delay to consult with independent legal counsel regarding the drastic change in leadership. While the board’s specific reasoning for the vote remains officially undisclosed, the action has effectively removed Mullenweg from day-to-day operations at the commercial entity.
Context of Recent Controversies
This leadership transition occurs against a backdrop of significant turmoil within Automattic. Under Mullenweg’s tenure, the company has engaged in a high-stakes legal battle with WP Engine, a rival hosting provider. This conflict escalated after Mullenweg accused the competitor of unfairly profiting from the WordPress ecosystem without contributing back to the project, eventually demanding royalty fees equivalent to 8% of the company's gross monthly revenue. The dispute led to reciprocal lawsuits, with WP Engine alleging defamation and abuse of power by Automattic’s leadership. These tensions reflect a broader pattern of internal friction; for instance, in 2024, Mullenweg offered severance packages to any employees who did not agree with his direction, resulting in 159 staff members choosing to depart the firm.
Operations at WordPress.org
Despite the significant shift at the commercial firm, leadership within the open-source WordPress project appears to be maintaining a separate status. Mary Hubbard, the executive director of the WordPress.org project, communicated to the community that the project’s operations remain unaffected by the changes at Automattic. According to Hubbard, the teams, strategic priorities, and ongoing development work will proceed as planned, and she emphasized that Mullenweg continues to lead the open-source initiative. This distinction highlights the complex and sometimes blurred lines between the commercial company, Automattic, and the governance of the open-source software project it heavily supports, as the company navigates this turbulent period of internal management instability.
Company Culture and Staff Sentiment
The atmosphere within Automattic has been increasingly strained over the last several years. Beyond the public legal fights, the company implemented a 16% staff reduction in April 2025, which affected numerous long-term employees who had dedicated over a decade of service to the organization. Reports suggest that internal reactions to the board’s latest decision are highly varied. While some employees have reportedly expressed relief or excitement regarding the change in leadership, others remain deeply concerned about the implications of such instability on the future of the company. The timing of the board's move—shortly after Mullenweg returned from his annual trip to the Burning Man festival—has sparked speculation, though no official explanation for the sudden board intervention has been provided.
The case for
The board stated they have full confidence in Mark Davies’s leadership and his capacity to effectively execute the company’s current priorities.
Concerns
Mullenweg has expressed that the move was conducted behind his back and that he was denied adequate time to consult with legal counsel regarding the board's sudden decision.
What's next
Automattic will operate under the interim leadership of Mark Davies while the board continues to manage the company's existing obligations and legal disputes. Future updates will likely clarify if the leave of absence for Mullenweg is a permanent transition or a temporary measure.
FAQs
Who is currently leading Automattic?
Mark Davies, who previously served as the Chief Financial Officer, has been named the interim CEO of Automattic. He is taking over the company's leadership duties following the board's decision to place founder Matt Mullenweg on leave.
Is Matt Mullenweg still involved with WordPress.org?
Yes, according to executive director Mary Hubbard, Mullenweg remains the leader of the open-source WordPress project. Operations for the project are reportedly continuing as planned despite the changes at Automattic.
What is the status of the lawsuit between Automattic and WP Engine?
The two companies are currently in a protracted legal dispute that began in October 2024. WP Engine has accused Automattic and Mullenweg of abuse of power and defamation, while Automattic has filed counterclaims following Mullenweg's demands for royalty payments.
Did the Automattic board explain why they removed Mullenweg?
The board has not provided a public explanation for their decision. Mullenweg characterized the move as a conspiracy by specific board members and was not informed of the resolution until shortly before the meeting.
Is Matt Mullenweg still on the Automattic board of directors?
Yes, although he has been placed on a leave of absence from his role as CEO, he remains a member of the board of directors. This was confirmed by the new interim CEO, Mark Davies, in a message to staff.
Sources
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