WordPress creator Matt Mullenweg claims to be back as CEO of Automattic, despite the board placing him on leave earlier this week. The private company has not officially confirmed his reinstatement, raising questions about corporate governance and the stability of the WordPress ecosystem.
Matt Mullenweg, the co-founder of WordPress, has publicly stated that he has resumed his position as the CEO of Automattic. This claim follows a period of significant leadership uncertainty after the company’s board of directors placed him on a paid leave of absence on September 9, 2026. The board had previously appointed Chief Financial Officer Mark Davies to serve as the interim CEO during this transition.
While Mullenweg has signaled his return to command, the Automattic board has not issued an official confirmation regarding his reinstatement. This has led to a state of ambiguity regarding the company’s formal leadership structure. Reports indicate that the internal corporate environment has seen friction, including the deactivation of administrative access for other executives, which has intensified concerns about the operational stability of the firm.
For readers, it is important to note that Automattic is a private company. It is not listed on Indian stock exchanges like the NSE or BSE. Therefore, this executive leadership conflict does not have a direct impact on Indian stock market participants. However, the situation remains relevant for those tracking the broader technology sector and the WordPress ecosystem, which powers a significant portion of the global internet.
Mullenweg has attributed the initial board decision to remove him to internal friction and alleged influence from external parties, including private equity interests like Silver Lake. The board’s move, which was communicated with short notice, highlighted deep-seated governance tensions within the private entity. These conflicts often present risks to long-term product strategy and decision-making stability in tech-focused organizations.
The core risk for the WordPress ecosystem involves the potential for distraction and delays in product development due to these internal administrative disputes. Investors and stakeholders in the tech space often monitor such governance crises for signs of how quickly a company can restore standard operational procedures. The next major update to watch will be an official statement from the Automattic board, which will be necessary to resolve the current uncertainty regarding who holds the executive authority to manage the company.