Automattic Removes WordPress Founder Matt Mullenweg as CEO

Ender Öztürk

September 10, 2026

In a major leadership shakeup within the tech industry, Matt Mullenweg, the co-founder and long-time CEO of WordPress parent company Automattic, has been removed from his active executive role. Following a decision by the company’s board of directors, Mullenweg was placed on mandatory administrative leave effective immediately. The leadership transition was confirmed by the company, which announced that current Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Mark Davies will assume the role of interim CEO. This sudden shift marks a significant turning point for the organization, which oversees the massive WordPress ecosystem, as it faces mounting internal and external pressures regarding its corporate governance and recent strategic disputes.

Internal Tensions Have Led to a Board Confrontation

The transition follows a period of intense friction between Mullenweg and the board. In internal Slack communications, the founder alleged that board members, including Ann Dunwoody, Toni Schneider, and Sue Decker, had been conspiring against him alongside the CFO. Mullenweg claimed he was denied additional time to consult with independent legal counsel regarding the board’s decision, which was presented to him only 50 minutes before the formal meeting began. Despite his protest and vote against the move, the board proceeded with the mandate to remove him from active duty.

Board member Toni Schneider confirmed in official internal messages that the directors had formally requested Mullenweg’s resignation from daily operations. An official spokesperson for Automattic later clarified that the company is fully committed to the leadership of Mark Davies during this interim phase, citing a need to restore stability and focus on the firm’s core operational priorities.

Interim CEO Mark Davies Will Maintain Strategic Continuity

Addressing concerns about the future of the platform, incoming interim CEO Mark Davies stated that Mullenweg will retain his seat on the board of directors. This arrangement ensures that the founder will continue to hold influence over the long-term strategic direction and high-level decision-making processes of the company. Davies emphasized that the transition will prioritize transparency and open communication among the global team.

The interim leadership also moved to reassure the massive community of WordPress users and enterprise clients. Davies noted that there will be no immediate changes to existing service agreements, platform functionalities, or operational workflows. The goal, according to the board, is to provide a steady hand while navigating the complexities that have emerged over the past several months.

Recent Controversies Have Strained Organizational Stability

The decision to remove Mullenweg comes on the heels of several high-profile controversies that have rocked the WordPress ecosystem. The company has been embroiled in a highly publicized and aggressive legal battle with the hosting provider WP Engine. This conflict, combined with a controversial buyout offer that led to the resignation of more than 150 employees who disagreed with his management style, created a turbulent environment within Automattic.

Critics had previously raised concerns over the company’s handling of employee whistleblowers, the implementation of restrictive platform access requirements, and aggressive trademark enforcement policies. By moving to restructure the top leadership, the board of directors appears to be attempting to pacify investors and stabilize the corporate culture following a period of unprecedented volatility.

What are your thoughts on this major leadership change at Automattic, and how do you believe it will impact the future of the WordPress platform? Please share your perspective in the comments section below.