---
title: "Automattic has a new board after failed attempt to put CEO on leave"
description: "After days of upheaval at Automattic, following a failed attempt to remove CEO Matt Mullenweg, the company has a new board."
author: "Sarah Perez"
section: ai-tech
published: 2026-09-28T13:31:01.205398+00:00
canonical: https://valorandventures.media/article/4fa12f3a-46fb-4efa-a887-3910f4757c41
publisher: "Valor & Ventures Media"
source: "TechCrunch"
source_url: https://techcrunch.com/2026/09/25/automattic-has-a-new-board-after-failed-attempt-to-put-ceo-on-leave/
access: free
---

# Automattic has a new board after failed attempt to put CEO on leave

*After days of upheaval at Automattic, following a failed attempt to remove CEO Matt Mullenweg, the company has a new board.*

## Executive Summary

Automattic, a prominent player in the global technology and web infrastructure sectors, has established a completely new board of directors following a period of intense internal friction. According to a report from TechCrunch, this sweeping governance transition occurred directly after a failed attempt by factions within the organization to force Chief Executive Officer Matt Mullenweg to take a leave of absence. The unsuccessful effort to sideline the executive led to days of profound organizational upheaval, ultimately culminating in the wholesale restructuring of the company’s governing body. The conflict highlights the severe friction that can occur at the highest levels of corporate leadership. As reported by the outlet, the attempted removal of Mullenweg was unsuccessful, suggesting that the chief executive retained sufficient structural leverage or investor backing to withstand the challenge. In the immediate aftermath of this boardroom struggle, the existing oversight structure was dissolved to make way for the new board. This rapid reconstitution of authority represents a significant consolidation of power around Mullenweg, effectively reshaping the firm's strategic oversight and signaling a definitive end to the immediate leadership dispute. For a major technology enterprise, such public governance battles present substantial operational and reputational hurdles. Abrupt changes in board composition can stall long-term planning, create anxiety among institutional partners, and disrupt day-to-day operations across various business units. The transition at Automattic highlights how quickly internal policy disputes can escalate into systemic structural changes, requiring swift intervention to stabilize the corporate hierarchy and reassure stakeholders of the company's ongoing operational continuity. For the founders, executive leaders, and veteran business professionals in the Valor & Ventures Media audience, this development offers a crucial lesson in corporate governance and the dynamics of founder-led firms. It underscores the vital importance of maintaining clear alignment between executive leadership and the board of directors. When these relationships fracture, the resulting instability can threaten organizational cohesion, demonstrating that robust corporate frameworks and proactive crisis management are vital assets for navigating high-stakes leadership transitions.

## Article

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Sarah Perez · TechCrunch

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Originally published by TechCrunch: https://techcrunch.com/2026/09/25/automattic-has-a-new-board-after-failed-attempt-to-put-ceo-on-leave/