Automattic Rebuilds Board After Failed Attempt to Oust CEO Matt Mullenweg

Automattic, the company behind WordPress.com, Tumblr, and WooCommerce, has overhauled its board of directors following an internal power struggle. CEO Matt Mullenweg regained control within 33 hours after the previous board attempted to remove him, leveraging his 84% voting share to restructure the company’s leadership.

Board Restructuring Follows Failed Ouster Attempt

Automattic, the parent company of WordPress.com, Tumblr, and WooCommerce, has appointed a new board of directors after a failed attempt to remove CEO Matt Mullenweg. According to TechCrunch, the previous board’s effort to oust Mullenweg collapsed within 33 hours, allowing him to swiftly regain control of the company.

Mullenweg, who holds 84% of Automattic’s voting shares, announced the formation of a new board alongside the addition of several advisers. The new board includes Hugh Howey, a best-selling science fiction author; Amy Chan, author of Breakup Bootcamp; Henry Khatachryan, co-founder of the defunct social app IRL; and Krutal Desai, another co-founder of IRL.

IRL, which shut down after an investigation revealed that nearly its entire user base consisted of bots, had previously been led by Abraham Shafi.

Key Departures and Legal Changes

The restructuring led to the departure of several long-standing board members and executives. Toni Schneider, former CEO of Automattic and current CEO of Bluesky, resigned from the board. Gen. Ann Dunwoody and Sue Decker, both former board members, also left. Additionally, Chief Financial Officer Mark Davies and Chief Legal Officer Andy Missan were let go by Mullenweg.

In a further response to the conflict, Mullenweg replaced Automattic’s legal counsel and retained Susman Godfrey LLP as the company’s new litigation counsel. The move suggests ongoing legal disputes may be tied to the governance conflict.

Mullenweg stated that he had been denied an extension to consult with independent legal counsel during the board’s attempt to remove him.

Unresolved Questions

The outgoing board did not publicly disclose its reasons for attempting to oust Mullenweg. According to TechCrunch, this lack of transparency has left lingering questions about the motivations behind the move. Mullenweg, however, emphasized that Automattic’s mission and priorities remain unchanged despite the turmoil.

Context: Automattic’s Structure and Influence

Automattic is a prominent player in the technology and publishing sectors, known for its ownership of widely used platforms like WordPress.com, Tumblr, and WooCommerce. The company operates with a distributed workforce and has historically emphasized open-source principles in its products and culture. Its governance model, like many founder-led companies, centers on long-term vision and founder control, which in this case allowed Mullenweg to quickly reassert his authority.

What this means

LazyFounders analysis — our interpretation, not reported fact.

This episode underscores how founders with controlling stakes can swiftly reclaim authority when governance structures clash with their vision. For startup operators, it’s a reminder that board composition isn’t just a formality—it can become a battleground for control. The lack of public explanation from the outgoing board leaves unanswered questions about whether this was a strategic misstep, a cultural rift, or a deeper operational dispute. Mullenweg’s rapid response also highlights the importance of legal preparedness in corporate conflicts, especially for companies with complex ownership structures. Founders should take note: even a strong board can’t easily override a founder with majority voting power, but the fallout can still disrupt operations and morale.

Key takeaways

• Automattic’s board attempted to remove CEO Matt Mullenweg but failed due to his 84% voting control.
• Mullenweg regained control within 33 hours and restructured the board with new members.
• Key departures include former board members Toni Schneider, Gen. Ann Dunwoody, and Sue Decker, along with CFO Mark Davies and Chief Legal Officer Andy Missan.
• The company replaced its legal counsel and retained Susman Godfrey LLP for litigation.
• The board’s motives for attempting to oust Mullenweg remain undisclosed.

FAQ

Why did Automattic’s board attempt to oust Matt Mullenweg?

The board did not publicly disclose its reasons for attempting to remove Mullenweg. The lack of transparency has left the motivations behind the move unclear.

Who are the new members of Automattic’s board?

The new board includes Hugh Howey, a best-selling author; Amy Chan, author of Breakup Bootcamp; Henry Khatachryan, co-founder of the defunct social app IRL; and Krutal Desai, another co-founder of IRL.

What changes occurred in Automattic’s executive team?

CFO Mark Davies and Chief Legal Officer Andy Missan were let go. Additionally, Mullenweg replaced the company’s legal counsel and retained Susman Godfrey LLP for ongoing litigation.

How did Matt Mullenweg regain control so quickly?

Mullenweg controls 84% of Automattic’s voting shares, which allowed him to swiftly overrule the board’s attempt to remove him and rebuild the board.

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