Automattic CEO Matt Mullenweg Placed on Mandatory Leave

There is no calm on Automattic, the parent company of WordPress. Matt Mullenweg, the co-founder of the company and the CEO for many years, was placed on compulsory administrative leave by the decision of the board of directors and removed from his active role as CEO. The company's Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Mark Davies was appointed as interim CEO, replacing Mullenweg, who claimed in internal Slack correspondence that the board of directors was secretly acting against him.

He Confronted the Board of Directors: "They Conspired Behind My Back"

Matt Mullenweg, who personally announced the development to employees on the company-wide Slack channel, reacted harshly to the decision. Stating that Automattic Board members Ann Dunwoody, Toni Schneider and Sue Decker acted together with the current CFO Mark Davies, Mullenweg stated that the decision was taken behind their backs.

Emphasizing that he voted against the decision, the experienced manager stated that he requested additional time to have an independent legal consultant review the decision, which was conveyed to him only 50 minutes before the meeting started, but this request was rejected by the board.

Automattic board member Toni Schneider confirmed in an internal company messaging that the board of directors formally requested that Mullenweg step down as CEO and go on leave.

In an official statement following the decision, Automattic spokesperson confirmed that Mullenweg was on leave and CFO Mark Davies will lead the company as interim CEO. The board of directors says they have full confidence in Davies' leadership to implement the company's priorities.

How will Interim CEO Mark Davies Manage the Process?

New interim CEO Mark Davies announced that Mullenweg will retain his seat on the board and will continue to have a say in the company's strategic direction and decision-making processes. Noting that the process will be managed with transparency, strong communication and teamwork, Davies underlined that there will be no sudden operational changes that will affect customers and platforms.

WP Engine Crisis and Resignations Brought Resistance to Breaking Point

Mullenweg's dismissal follows recent serious crises within Automattic and the open source community. Mullenweg was the target of intense criticism in the technology world, especially due to her fierce legal and public battle with the hosting giant WP Engine. Throughout the process, the company offered compensation to employees who did not agree with its policies and the option to leave, and as a result of this move, more than 150 employees parted ways with the company.

Its harsh attitude towards employees who leaked information to the press, the controversial login conditions imposed on the platforms, and finally the trademark pressures on the Automattic brand, escalated the discomfort within the company and on the investor side. It is considered that this radical decision taken by the board of directors aims to calm the turbulent period in the Automattic ecosystem and restore corporate stability.