Matt Mullenweg, the visionary founder and CEO of Automattic, the company renowned for operating WordPress.com, Tumblr, and WooCommerce, has been placed on a paid leave of absence by the company’s board of directors. The decision, which Mullenweg communicated to employees as being against his will, has led to Chief Financial Officer Mark Davies stepping in as interim CEO.

Mullenweg informed staff that the move was orchestrated by Davies in collaboration with board members Ann Dunwoody, Toni Schneider, and Sue Decker. He stated that he voted against the resolution and was denied repeated requests for time to seek independent legal counsel before the vote. Despite the internal upheaval, the board has publicly expressed its full confidence in Davies’ leadership and the team’s capacity to advance Automattic’s strategic priorities.

This leadership change at Automattic comes amidst a turbulent period for the company. Automattic has been embroiled in a protracted legal battle with WP Engine, a WordPress web hosting competitor, stemming from Mullenweg’s allegations that WP Engine profited from the open-source WordPress project without adequate contribution. WP Engine subsequently filed a lawsuit in October 2024, accusing Automattic and Mullenweg of defamation and abuse of power, with Automattic filing counterclaims. Tensions under Mullenweg’s leadership escalated to the point where he reportedly told dissenting employees to quit with severance in 2024, leading to 159 departures. The company also laid off 16% of its staff in April 2025.

Crucially, the open-source WordPress.org project, which Mullenweg co-created, remains unaffected by these corporate developments. Mary Hubbard, Executive Director of WordPress.org, confirmed that Mullenweg continues to lead the open-source project, and its operations, teams, and priorities are proceeding as planned. Employee reactions within Automattic to Mullenweg’s forced leave have been mixed, with some expressing relief and others concern over potential instability.

Key Takeaways

• Automattic's board has placed founder and CEO Matt Mullenweg on a forced paid leave of absence, appointing CFO Mark Davies as interim CEO.
• Mullenweg claims the decision was a conspiracy by certain board members and made without allowing him legal review.
• The move follows a period of significant internal strife, including a major lawsuit with WP Engine, employee departures, and recent layoffs at Automattic.

Editor’s Analysis & Impact

The forced leave of Matt Mullenweg from Automattic marks a pivotal moment for the company and the broader web technology landscape. As the parent company of WordPress.com, Tumblr, and WooCommerce, Automattic’s stability directly impacts a vast segment of the internet. This leadership change could signal a shift towards more conventional corporate governance, potentially resolving internal conflicts and legal entanglements that have plagued the company. While short-term uncertainty is inevitable, a new direction under interim CEO Mark Davies might foster a more stable environment, allowing Automattic to refocus on product development and market strategy. The distinction between Automattic and the open-source WordPress.org project is critical, ensuring the foundational CMS remains unaffected, yet the corporate drama could still influence perceptions within the wider WordPress ecosystem.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who is Matt Mullenweg?
A: Matt Mullenweg is the co-creator of the open-source WordPress project and the founder and outgoing CEO of Automattic, the company behind WordPress.com, Tumblr, and WooCommerce.

Q: Why was Matt Mullenweg put on leave?
A: While the board's specific reasons are not fully disclosed, the decision follows a period of significant internal and external controversies, including a high-profile lawsuit with WP Engine, employee dissatisfaction, and recent layoffs at Automattic.

Q: How does this affect the open-source WordPress project?
A: According to Mary Hubbard, Executive Director of WordPress.org, the open-source project is not impacted. Matt Mullenweg remains its leader, and its teams and priorities continue as planned.