# Automattic names new board after failed move to sideline CEO

_Published Saturday, September 26, 2026 at 5:19 PM EDT · Products · Latest · Tier 2 — Notable_

![Automattic names new board after failed move to sideline CEO — Primary](https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Matt-Mullenweg.jpg?resize=1200,799)

Automattic has named a new board after its previous directors tried to place CEO Matt Mullenweg on leave, TechCrunch reported. Mullenweg confirmed the additions, which include authors Hugh Howey and Amy Chan and former IRL co-founders Henry Khachatryan and Krutal Desai.

The change follows Mullenweg's return to control after the leave vote and the departure or removal of directors involved in it. He used his voting shares to replace the board at the company behind WordPress.com, Tumblr and WooCommerce. The former board has not publicly explained why it sought to remove him.

## Sources

- [techcrunch.com](https://techcrunch.com/2026/09/25/automattic-has-a-new-board-after-failed-attempt-to-put-ceo-on-leave/)

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Canonical: https://techandbusiness.org/newswire/pRIN6g4VjMOQnMr_ePXXji
Published: 2026-09-26T21:19:30.286Z
Story chronology: 2026-09-25T23:04:34.000Z
Retrieved: 2026-09-26T22:57:52.894Z
Publisher: Tech & Business (techandbusiness.org)