# Automattic confirms Mullenweg has returned as chief executive

_Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 7:25 PM EDT · Products · Latest · Tier 2 — Notable_

![Automattic confirms Mullenweg has returned as chief executive — Primary](https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/matt-mullenweg.jpg?resize=1200,799)

Automattic confirmed that WordPress founder Matt Mullenweg has returned as the company's chairman and chief executive, with board support. Earlier in the week, the board had put him on paid leave and named chief financial officer Mark Davies interim CEO. TechCrunch reported that Mullenweg removed other administrators from company Slack and said he was back in control before the company issued its statement. Automattic did not address reported changes to board composition.

## Sources

- [TechCrunch](https://techcrunch.com/2026/09/12/automattic-confirms-mullenweg-has-returned-as-ceo-after-attempted-ouster-by-board/)

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Canonical: https://techandbusiness.org/newswire/2wU5LlbTnfDuDhk8AvhU8B
Retrieved: 2026-09-13T04:03:22.001Z
Publisher: Tech & Business (techandbusiness.org)