Automattic's board voted to place WordPress co-founder and CEO Matt Mullenweg on paid leave on September 9, 2026, after denying his request to consult independent legal counsel, with CFO Mark Davies stepping into his responsibilities.
Read the full story: Automattic Board Ousts Mullenweg, Puts Him on Leave →
Transcript
Automattic's board just did something founders don't expect from their own company. On September 9th, they voted to put CEO Matt Mullenweg on paid leave, and he says he got the resolution just 50 minutes before the vote. He asked for time to call a lawyer. They said no. Three board members, plus the CFO he accuses of helping plan it, voted him out. He cast the only vote against.
This caps two years of fallout from Mullenweg's fight with hosting rival WP Engine, a fight that already cost Automattic a twelfth of its staff. CFO Mark Davies is running things now. No permanent CEO. No public explanation from the board. Just Mullenweg's own account, and a company that suddenly looks very different.