WordPress Co-Founder Matt Mullenweg Ousted as Automattic CEO

Image credit: Search Engine Journal

Matt Mullenweg, co-founder of WordPress, was removed as CEO of Automattic and placed on paid leave, with Chief Financial Officer Mark Davies appointed as his replacement, the company announced.

The unexpected leadership change followed a period of declining market share for WordPress and ongoing legal challenges, including a lawsuit against Automattic and Mullenweg, the company said.

Mullenweg was reportedly given only 50 minutes’ notice of the board’s vote to remove him and was denied legal counsel review before the decision, according to sources familiar with the matter.

He has accused Davies and the board of conspiring against him, an allegation that Automattic did not immediately address.

The ouster comes amid negative sentiment stemming from a significant dispute with WP Engine, a major WordPress hosting provider, which led to a lawsuit against Automattic and Mullenweg alleging the destruction of evidence.

The dispute has also been cited as a contributing factor to a decline in WordPress’s overall market share and reduced attendance at WordCamp events, according to industry observers.

Additionally, issues within the WordPress plugin ecosystem have reportedly contributed to the platform’s challenges.

Jonathan Robins, an industry analyst, noted that the legal entanglements and internal strife could further destabilize Automattic during a critical period for the company.

Mullenweg responded to the news of his removal with a humorous tweet, offering no further comment on the allegations or his future plans.

Mark Davies, who previously served as Automattic’s CFO, will now lead the company as it faces these legal and market challenges.

Automattic, the company behind WordPress.com, WooCommerce, and Jetpack, did not provide further details regarding the specific reasons for Mullenweg’s immediate dismissal.

Source: Search Engine Journal