The board took Automattic from Mullenweg. It could not take WordPress.org.
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The board took Automattic from Mullenweg. It could not take WordPress.org.
Automattic's board voted on 9 September 2026 to place founder Matt Mullenweg on a paid leave of absence and appointed chief financial officer Mark Davies as interim CEO. The company confirmed the move, saying the board has full confidence in Davies and in the team's ability to execute against its priorities.
Key Takeaways
- Automattic's board voted on 9 September to place founder Matt Mullenweg on paid leave; CFO Mark Davies is interim CEO
- Mullenweg says he received the resolution 50 minutes before the meeting and was refused time for independent legal review
- He remains a director and personally owns the WordPress.org domain and infrastructure, which the board has no authority over
- BlackRock's June 2026 filing values Automattic shares at $14.33, an 83 percent fall from the $85 Series E price in 2021
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