Automattic Board Forces Founder‑CEO Matt Mullenweg Into Leave

According to a Slack message obtained by TechCrunch, the board of directors at Automattic has put founder and chief executive Matt Mullenweg on a leave of absence, a step that seems to have been taken without his approval.

The company’s founder, who created the platform behind WordPress.com along with a range of associated web services, posted a short note to an internal Slack channel on Wednesday noting that the board’s move caught him off guard. The employee‑visible message implied the decision was made “against his will,” without offering additional information.

This abrupt shift in leadership occurs while Automattic, a firm valued at more than $10 billion, keeps broadening its product lineup and seeking acquisitions. Its governance framework features a board made up of long‑standing investors and independent directors, vested with the power to step into executive issues. Although the board has not revealed its precise rationale, insiders hint that strategic disputes or management concerns may have played a role.

Analysts point out that an open rift between a founder‑CEO and the board is uncommon in technology companies, particularly for a business celebrated for its open‑source philosophy and decentralized model. The episode prompts speculation about how Automattic will steer current initiatives, such as the launch of fresh WordPress.com features, its expanding e‑commerce suite, and the assimilation of recent acquisitions.

Stakeholders are now looking for more detail from Automattic’s leadership. Aside from confirming the board’s move, the company has not issued an official comment, leaving open the question of whether Mullenweg will come back, be permanently replaced, or take on another position within the firm. The episode highlights the fragile equilibrium between founder control and board supervision in rapidly scaling tech enterprises.