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Hacker News front pageSarah Perez4 min readintro

Automattic has a new board after failed attempt to put CEO on leave

Read on techcrunch.comHN 148·193 comments

Summary

Automattic’s CEO Matt Mullenweg used his 84% voting stake to replace the board after a failed attempt to put him on leave, installing a new slate that includes author Hugh Howey and IRL co‑founders. The shake‑up also saw several former directors and senior execs exit, amid ongoing legal battles with WP Engine.

  • Mullenweg controls 84% of Automattic voting shares, letting him overturn a board decision in 33 hours.
  • The new board adds author Hugh Howey, author Amy Chan, and IRL co‑founders Henry Khachatryan and Krutal Desai.
  • Former directors Toni Schneider, Sue Decker and CFO Mark Davies were removed or resigned after the coup attempt.
  • Advisors such as former Whoop CTO Jaime Waydo and KISSmetrics co‑founder Hiten Shah were added to the leadership circle.

Founders and engineering leaders should care because concentrated equity can dictate board control and governance outcomes during crises.

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