Matt Mullenweg, the co-founder of WordPress.org and chief executive of Automattic, has been placed on a paid leave of absence by the company’s board of directors. Chief Financial Officer Mark Davies has stepped in as interim CEO to lead the technology firm while Mullenweg is away.
The decision followed an internal board vote that Mullenweg opposed. In an internal message, Mullenweg claimed that Davies and several board members voted to place him on leave. Despite stepping down from his day-to-day executive role, Mullenweg will remain a member of Automattic's board of directors.
Mullenweg has led Automattic since 2014 and is one of the most prominent figures in the open-source web community. However, his leadership recently faced intense debate after he launched a public pressure campaign against a prominent WordPress hosting provider, dividing community members and triggering an ongoing legal conflict.
Automattic spokesperson Megan Fox confirmed the board's decision, stating that management retains full confidence in Davies' ability to guide the company. Board member Toni Schneider also expressed confidence that the interim CEO will steer the company effectively while Mullenweg is away.