Things are still turbulent at Automattic, the parent company of WordPress. Matt Mullenweg, the company’s co-founder and long-time CEO, has been placed on mandatory administrative leave by the board of directors, effectively removing him from his role as CEO. Mullenweg, who claimed in internal Slack messages that the board of directors secretly acted against him, has been replaced by the company’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Mark Davies, as interim CEO.

Confrontation with the Board of Directors: “They Conspired Behind My Back”

Matt Mullenweg, who personally announced the development to employees via the company-wide Slack channel, reacted strongly to the decision. Mullenweg stated that Automattic Board members Ann Dunwoody, Toni Schneider, and Sue Decker acted in concert with current CFO Mark Davies, adding that the decision was made under duress.

The experienced executive emphasized that he voted against the decision, stating that he requested additional time to have the decision reviewed by an independent legal advisor, only 50 minutes before the meeting began, but this request was denied by the board.

Automattic board member Toni Schneider confirmed in an internal company message that the board formally requested Mullenweg to step down as CEO and take a leave of absence.

Following the decision, an Automattic spokesperson released an official statement confirming that Mullenweg had taken a leave of absence and that CFO Mark Davies would lead the company as interim CEO. The board stated that they have full confidence in Davies’ leadership in achieving the company’s priorities.

How Will Interim CEO Mark Davies Manage the Process?

The new interim CEO, Mark Davies, announced that Mullenweg will retain his seat on the board of directors and will continue to have a say in the company’s strategic direction and decision-making processes. Davies noted that the process will be managed with transparency, strong connections, and teamwork, emphasizing that there will be no sudden changes that will affect customers and platforms operationally.

WP Engine Crisis and Resignations Brought Things to a Breaking Point

Mullenweg’s removal comes after significant crises within Automattic and the open-source community in recent times. Mullenweg had been the target of intense criticism in the tech world, particularly due to his fierce legal and public battle with hosting giant WP Engine. Throughout the process, the company offered severance pay to employees who did not agree with its policies, giving them the option to leave, resulting in more than 150 employees parting ways with the company.

Its harsh stance against employees who leaked information to the press, the controversial entry rules imposed on platforms, and finally, the trademark pressure exerted through the Automattic brand, escalated unease within the company and among investors. This radical decision by the board of directors is seen as an attempt to calm the turbulent period in the Automattic ecosystem and re-establish corporate stability.