Observed Signal · Sep 11, 2026 · Leadership Change · Source: techcrunch · Impact: 2/5 · Sentiment: Neutral
Mullenweg Claims He's Back in Control at Automattic
Automattic CEO Matt Mullenweg has returned as CEO and chairman after a failed board attempt to place him on paid leave, which lasted 33 hours. Following his return, the entire board was removed: Toni Schneider resigned, while Sue Decker and Ann Dunwoody were ousted, and Chief Legal Officer Andy Missan departed. Mullenweg, who controls 84% of voting shares, has since rebuilt the board with new members including author Hugh Howey, Amy Chan, and IRL co-founders Henry Khachatryan and Krutal Desai. Advisers include former Woop CTO Jaime Waydo and KISSmetrics co-founder Hiten Shah. The leadership shakeup occurs amid an ongoing trademark lawsuit with WP Engine and internal tensions, including layoffs and Mullenweg's reference to a fifth 'coup' attempt involving Silver Lake.
Leadership instability at a major web infrastructure company (Automattic/WordPress) could impact the broader web ecosystem, but it is not directly AdTech/MarTech relevant.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Automattic's entire board was removed after a failed attempt to oust CEO Matt Mullenweg, who returned after a 33-hour leave and remains CEO and chairman.
- Previous board members Toni Schneider (resigned), Sue Decker, and Ann Dunwoody (removed) left, along with Chief Legal Officer Andy Missan.
- Mullenweg rebuilt the board with new members Hugh Howey, Amy Chan, Henry Khachatryan, and Krutal Desai, and added advisers including Jaime Waydo, Matt Van Horn, and Hiten Shah.
- Mullenweg controls 84% of voting shares, allowing him to unilaterally reshape the board.
- The upheaval follows a trademark lawsuit with WP Engine and internal tensions, including prior layoffs.
Connected Companies & Entities
6 Entities mapped“Automattic's board voted to oust Mullenweg as CEO; Mullenweg claims he's back in control.”
“WP Engine is the hosting company involved in a lawsuit with Mullenweg and Automattic.”
“WordPress.com is the parent company of Automattic, mentioned in the article.”
“Silver Lake is the majority owner of WP Engine, which is embroiled in a lawsuit with Mullenweg and Automattic.”
Related Market Signals & Shifts
Recent verified developments and strategic activity across this market segment.
WordPress parent Automattic forces CEO Matt Mullenweg on leave
WordPress parent company Automattic's board has placed CEO Matt Mullenweg on a forced leave of absence, with CFO Mark Davies appointed as interim CEO. Mullenweg expressed surprise in internal Slack messages, alleging a 'conspiracy' by board members. The decision follows years of internal tensions and a legal dispute with WP Engine over licensing fees. Automattic confirmed the move to TechCrunch. The company, which also owns Tumblr and WooCommerce, saw mixed reactions from employees, with some feeling relief and others fearing instability.
Automattic Execs Signed Reciprocal Severance Deals During CEO Brief Ouster
During the 33-hour window in September 2026 when Automattic CEO Matt Mullenweg was placed on paid leave, interim CEO Mark Davies and Chief Legal Officer Andy Missan signed reciprocal severance agreements. These golden parachutes provide each with 12 months' salary, accelerated equity vesting, and extended health coverage. The total cost to Automattic is $8.15 million, which the company now owes both executives after Mullenweg fired them upon his return. The agreements define 'cause' narrowly and include clauses tailored to Davies's interim role. Automattic has replaced its legal counsel and is deciding whether to pay or contest the packages. The incident is linked to a broader governance struggle and ongoing litigation with WP Engine.
Automattic names interim CFO after executive departures
Automattic has appointed Jeremy Klaperman, CFO of its WordPress VIP Enterprise unit, as interim CFO following the departure of former CFO Mark Davies and Chief Legal Officer Andy Missan. The changes come after an attempted board ouster of CEO Matt Mullenweg, who has since returned. Mullenweg announced the appointment internally and indicated that the board will evaluate internal and external candidates for the permanent CFO role. A candidate for chief legal officer has also verbally accepted the position. Mullenweg expressed confidence in the company's financial position, stating that everything is within control and depends on execution. The next board meeting is scheduled for September 23.
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