tech industry•Sat, September 26, 2026•4 min read

After a Failed Coup, Automattic CEO Matt Mullenweg Reshapes His Board

Weeks after a dramatic but ultimately unsuccessful attempt to remove him as CEO, Matt Mullenweg has overhauled Automattic’s board of directors. The move marks a turning point for the company following months of internal and external volatility.

A New Chapter for Automattic

Automattic, the parent company behind WordPress.com, has officially announced a new board of directors and a slate of fresh advisers. This strategic restructuring comes only weeks after a failed boardroom attempt to oust long-time CEO Matt Mullenweg. The new board includes notable figures from the tech and literary worlds, including the founders of the social app IRL and the author of the popular Silo book series.

The Road to Turbulence

The past two years have been exceptionally difficult for the company. Automattic has navigated a high-profile legal battle with WP Engine, which filed a lawsuit in 2024 accusing the company of defamation and abuse of power. The conflict was largely fueled by Mullenweg’s demand that the rival host pay royalties for utilizing the WordPress brand.

Internally, tensions reached a breaking point on several fronts:

In 2024, Mullenweg offered severance to employees who disagreed with his leadership, leading 159 staff members to depart.
The company underwent significant downsizing in April 2025, laying off 16% of its workforce.
Mullenweg faced backlash for threatening to deactivate the accounts of WordPress.org community members who discussed forking the open-source project.

The 33-Hour Ouster

The board’s attempt to remove Mullenweg earlier this year was short-lived, lasting only about 33 hours and 20 minutes. Mullenweg effectively resisted the change by maintaining control of company communications and asserting his authority. Following the failed coup, the company signaled a desire to move forward, with the board expressing 'full confidence' in the executive team's ability to execute company priorities.

While we can’t comment on specific individuals, we’re thankful for their contributions to Automattic and its mission, and we remain excited about what’s ahead with Matt at the helm.
— Automattic Official Statement

Key Takeaways

Matt Mullenweg has appointed a new board of directors and advisers for Automattic.
The restructuring follows a failed attempt by the previous board to remove Mullenweg as CEO.
Automattic continues to navigate a legal dispute with rival host WP Engine.
Internal stability remains a challenge after mass employee departures in 2024 and layoffs in 2025.
Mullenweg retains his position as the leader of both the commercial entity, Automattic, and the open-source WordPress project.

FAQ

Is Matt Mullenweg still the CEO of Automattic?

Yes, Matt Mullenweg remains the CEO of Automattic after a brief, failed attempt by the board to remove him.

Who are the new board members?

The new board includes the founders of the social app IRL and the author of the Silo book series.

How did the company explain the previous board turmoil?

Automattic stated it could not comment on specific individuals but expressed gratitude for their contributions and confirmed their focus on current missions under Mullenweg's leadership.

Does this impact the open-source WordPress project?

According to the Executive Director of WordPress.org, the open-source project remains unaffected, and leadership roles within that project have not changed.