Automattic Board Places CEO Matt Mullenweg on Paid Leave

Automattic has placed its CEO and WordPress founder Matt Mullenweg on a paid leave of absence. The move, announced by the company's Board of Directors, removes one of the most influential figures in web publishing from daily operations.

According to reports from 404 Media and The Verge, the board's decision was communicated to staff via company-wide Slack messages. Mark Davies, who currently serves as Automattic's Chief Financial Officer, has been appointed as the interim CEO. In a message to employees, board member Toni Schneider stated that the board decided to ask Mullenweg to step away from his role and take a leave of absence.

A Climate of Internal Conflict

This leadership shakeup follows a period of intense instability within Automattic. Mullenweg has recently been embroiled in a high-profile legal battle with WP Engine, a prominent WordPress hosting provider. This external conflict mirrored internal friction, as Mullenweg previously issued "Alignment Offers" to his staff. These offers provided buyouts to employees who disagreed with his strategic direction or stances, resulting in the departure of 159 employees. Furthermore, the company faced criticism over threats of termination without severance for staff members who spoke with the press.

Implications for the WordPress Ecosystem

Because Mullenweg is not only the head of Automattic but also the central figure of the open-source WordPress project, his removal signals a profound rift at the top of the organization. The instability occurs at a critical juncture as the industry continues to debate the governance and commercialization of WordPress, which powers a significant portion of the internet's websites. The transition to interim leadership under Mark Davies suggests a shift in the board's approach to managing the company's internal culture and its public-facing legal disputes.

Unresolved Tensions

While the board has formalized the leave of absence, the circumstances surrounding the decision remain contentious. According to 404 Media, Mullenweg claimed in Slack messages that the move was the result of a conspiracy between Davies and several board members. However, the specific details of these allegations, including the exact timeline of the board's resolution and the full list of members involved, have not been independently verified. It remains unclear whether this leave of absence is a temporary measure or a precursor to a permanent change in leadership.