Automattic CEO Matt Mullenweg placed on paid leave

Automattic CEO Matt Mullenweg has been placed on paid leave, with CFO Mark Davies taking over as interim CEO while Mullenweg remains on the company’s board.

The Automattic CEO decision was confirmed by spokesperson Megan Fox in a statement reported by The Verge. “Matt Mullenweg is currently on leave from Automattic,” Fox said. “Mark Davies, Automattic’s CFO, will lead the company as interim CEO. The Board has full confidence in Mark’s leadership and in the team’s ability to execute against the company’s priorities.”

Automattic CEO: why is Matt Mullenweg leaving?

Mullenweg said in an internal message that board members had voted to put him on leave against his wishes, according to 404 Media. Automattic board member Toni Schneider reportedly said the board had asked Mullenweg to step away from the CEO role and had asked Davies to lead the company during his absence.

The move follows a long-running dispute around WordPress, Automattic and hosting company WP Engine. Mullenweg launched a public pressure campaign against WP Engine in 2024, leading to a legal fight that has continued alongside the wider argument over WordPress trademarks and the open-source project, as The Verge reported.

What changes for WordPress users?

There is no announced change to WordPress.com or Automattic’s other products. Automattic operates WordPress.com, Woo, Jetpack and WordPress VIP, alongside other services, and says it has more than 1,447 employees working across 81 countries, according to its company press page.

For publishers, creators and businesses in the UAE, existing WordPress sites should continue operating as normal. The leadership change may affect how Automattic handles its dispute with WP Engine and its broader WordPress strategy, but the company has not announced a service change for UAE customers.

Automattic has not said how long Mullenweg’s leave will last.