Automattic CEO Matt Mullenweg Placed on Leave Amid Internal Dispute
Matt Mullenweg, CEO of Automattic—the company behind WordPress.com—has reportedly been placed on a paid leave of absence. According to a report by 404 Media, the decision was made after Mullenweg claimed that CFO Mark Davies and several board members conspired against him. In an internal message viewed by the outlet, Mullenweg stated he voted against his own removal from day-to-day operations but lost in a vote involving key executives. Mark Davies will serve as interim CEO during Mullenweg’s absence while the founder remains on Automattic's board. Board member Toni Schneider confirmed that the decision was made to ensure stability and leadership continuity, expressing confidence in Davies' ability to manage affairs effectively until further notice. The move comes amid ongoing legal disputes involving WordPress trademarks and open-source community tensions. Automattic has not publicly commented on Mullenweg’s leave or provided additional details about his expected return timeline.
Topics: Automattic leadership conflict board decision CEO on leave