Automattic's board resigned after failing to oust CEO Matt Mullenweg via a paid leave vote. Mullenweg regained control within 33 hours, and board members Toni Schneider, Sue Decker, and Gen. Ann Dunwoody have departed. The board shakeup follows an ongoing trademark dispute between Automattic and WordPress hosting company WP Engine.
WordPress founder Matt Mullenweg was ousted as CEO of Automattic by board vote but returned to his position within days after removing other admins from company Slack and asserting control. The company confirmed his reinstatement as chairman and CEO with full board support, though Mullenweg provided no official statement and instead posted cryptic messages about being a 'pirate' and buying a houseboat.
Automattic founder Matt Mullenweg was reinstated as CEO after the company's board voted to place him on paid leave, in a move that quickly unraveled when Mullenweg resisted removal and regained control of company systems. The board subsequently confirmed his return with full support, though the exact reasons for the initial ouster remain unclear and board composition changes are reportedly ongoing.