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Mullenweg returns as CEO after board ouster attempt
The gist
Automattic's board placed CEO Matt Mullenweg on paid leave, and he returned two days later.
The reversal leaves the board's reasons undisclosed and WordPress funding in focus.
How it unfolded
- Sep 9, 2026Automattic's board voted to place CEO Matt Mullenweg on a paid leave of absence against his will; CFO Mark Davies was appointed interim CEO with the board's "full confidence."
- Sep 9, 2026Mullenweg posted on Automattic's Slack that Davies had "conspired" with board members Ann Dunwoody, Toni Schneider and Sue Decker, saying he received the draft resolution only 50 minutes before the board meeting and was denied time for an independent lawyer to review it. Davies told employees Mullenweg remained on the board of directors.
- Sep 11, 2026Mullenweg told employees on Slack he was returning as CEO, two days after being placed on leave, saying the board had reached an agreement again and he had taken control of Automattic's management. He posted on X: "Founder advice: If you don't have a coup attempt every few years, you're not hiring strong enough leaders."