Sources say Automattic’s board is out after failed attempt to oust CEO Matt Mullenweg

Automattic's board has been restructured, shifting control entirely to CEO Matt Mullenweg.

Automattic CEO Matt Mullenweg has regained full control of the company after a board attempt to remove him failed. Sources report that the board members who initiated the vote, Toni Schneider, Sue Decker, and Gen. Ann Dunwoody, have either resigned or been removed. Mullenweg announced his return to staff via Slack, with the company later confirming his reinstated leadership. The exact reasons behind the board's initial action remain undisclosed, though the situation unfolds amid a high-profile lawsuit between Automattic and WordPress hosting company WP Engine, where Mullenweg has accused WP Engine of trademark infringement and insufficient open-source contributions. This legal battle has seen accusations of evidence destruction against Mullenweg and follows his previous deactivation of WordPress contributor accounts over alleged plans to fork the software.

The swift ousting of Automattic's board members following their failed attempt to sideline CEO Matt Mullenweg signals a consolidation of power within the WordPress.com parent company. This internal upheaval, occurring amid a significant legal dispute with WP Engine, suggests a potential for more aggressive or decisive actions from Mullenweg moving forward. The company's official statement, while acknowledging departures, emphasizes its renewed focus on its mission with Mullenweg at the helm, hinting at a unified internal front.

This event may indicate increased internal pressure on leadership to navigate external challenges, such as the ongoing trademark lawsuit. The market should watch for any strategic shifts or aggressive legal maneuvers by Automattic in response to the WP Engine litigation, as well as potential changes in how the company engages with its open-source community and third-party contributors following this period of internal instability.