Business & Finance
Automattic board places CEO Matt Mullenweg on paid leave of absence
Chief Financial Officer Mark Davies steps in as interim leader following an involuntary board vote.
The short version
- Automattic's board of directors voted to place founder and CEO Matt Mullenweg on a paid leave of absence against his will.[TechCrunch · Hacker News]
- Chief Financial Officer Mark Davies has been appointed to lead the company as interim CEO.[TechCrunch]
- Mullenweg claimed that Davies and three other directors organized the vote behind his back, while the board's precise motives remain undisclosed.[TechCrunch]
Key facts
- Automattic CEO Matt Mullenweg was placed on a paid leave of absence by the board against his wishes.[TechCrunch · Hacker News]
- Automattic confirmed in a statement that Mullenweg is on leave and CFO Mark Davies has assumed the role of interim CEO.[TechCrunch]
- Mullenweg alleged in internal communications that Davies worked with board members Ann Dunwoody, Toni Schneider, and Sue Decker to pass the resolution.[TechCrunch]
What remains uncertain
- The specific reasons behind the board of directors' decision to place Mullenweg on leave remain unclear.[TechCrunch]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.