Matt Mullenweg Returns as Automattic CEO After Board Ouster
Automattic confirms Matt Mullenweg is back as CEO after its board put him on paid leave, while leadership turmoil and board questions remain unresolved.
Summary
Automattic confirmed shortly after 5 p.m. ET on Saturday, September 12, 2026, that WordPress founder Matt Mullenweg had returned as chairman and CEO of WordPress.com’s parent, with the board’s full support. The company also cited online backing from senior executives and Automattic employees, apparently reflected in X posts Mullenweg reposted. Earlier that week, directors voted to place him on paid leave for undisclosed reasons. On Wednesday, Automattic named CFO Mark Davies interim CEO with the board’s full confidence.
Mullenweg accused directors of conspiring against him, removed other administrators from Automattic’s Slack and told employees he had regained control. He used profanity, described himself as a pirate and promised a blog post that instead discussed his houseboat. He never formally addressed his return but called the episode likely his fifth coup on X. Automattic did not answer Friday questions about whether board member Toni Schneider had stepped down or whether further board changes were underway. Schneider, Automattic’s founding CEO and now Bluesky’s leader, also did not comment, leaving the board’s composition potentially in flux.
Positives
- September 12 brought confirmation that Matt Mullenweg remains Automattic’s chairman and CEO with the board’s full support.
- Automattic cited supportive online posts from senior executives and employees after the attempted leadership change.
- CFO Mark Davies provided designated interim leadership between the board vote and Mullenweg’s confirmed return.
Risks & concerns
- Automattic’s board placed Mullenweg on paid leave for reasons that remain undisclosed.
- Mullenweg removed Slack administrators and accused directors of conspiring against him during the leadership dispute.
- Wednesday’s declaration of full confidence in interim CEO Mark Davies was rapidly superseded by Mullenweg’s return.
- Mullenweg promised an explanatory blog post but published one about his houseboat and never formally addressed his reinstatement.
- Toni Schneider’s status and Automattic’s wider board composition remained unresolved after Friday inquiries went unanswered.
