Automattic Interim CFO Jeremy Klaperman Exits After Board Shakeup
Automattic interim CFO Jeremy Klaperman exits after less than a month, extending leadership turmoil after Matt Mullenweg retook control and reset the board.
Summary
Jeremy Klaperman left Automattic by October 9, 2026, less than a month after becoming interim chief financial officer during a governance crisis in which every director resigned or was fired. Communications director Megan Fox confirmed his departure, thanked him and wished him well, but did not explain it. Klaperman previously served as CFO of the WordPress.com parent’s VIP Enterprise unit. People familiar with events linked his exit to a demotion back to that role, though the reason remains unconfirmed and no permanent CFO has been announced.
Klaperman replaced Mark Davies, who briefly became CFO after Automattic’s board put CEO Matt Mullenweg on leave in September. Mullenweg reclaimed the role within 33 hours, and the board was cleared. Davies and chief legal officer Andy Missan subsequently left after signing reciprocal severance agreements during the leave. Automattic announced a new board in late September comprising bestselling science fiction author Hugh Howey, defunct social app IRL co-founders Henry Khachatryan and Krutal Desai, and author Amy Chan. When announcing Klaperman’s promotion on Slack, Mullenweg reiterated 100% confidence in Automattic’s cash and financial position.
Positives
- Matt Mullenweg reiterated 100% confidence in Automattic’s cash and financial position when announcing Klaperman’s interim appointment.
- Automattic named a four-member replacement board in late September after the previous board was cleared.
- Jeremy Klaperman brought prior internal finance experience as CFO of Automattic’s VIP Enterprise unit.
Risks & concerns
- Jeremy Klaperman departed less than a month after becoming interim CFO, extending Automattic’s executive turnover.
- Every member of Automattic’s previous board resigned or was fired after Matt Mullenweg returned as CEO within 33 hours.
- Mark Davies and chief legal officer Andy Missan left after signing reciprocal severance agreements during Mullenweg’s brief leave.
- No permanent CFO has been announced, and Automattic has not explained Klaperman’s departure.
- People familiar with events linked Klaperman’s exit to a demotion, but that account remains unconfirmed.