GoKawiilMatt Mullenweg installs new Automattic board weeks after failed ouster attempt
Automattic CEO Matt Mullenweg has assembled a new board, informing staff via Slack on Friday. The lineup includes author Hugh Howey, 'Breakup Bootcamp' writer Amy Chan, and IRL co-founders Henry Khatachryan and Krutal Desai, along with several new advisers. This follows an episode earlier this month in which the prior board briefly placed Mullenweg on leave before he regained control and removed or accepted resignations from those directors.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The reshuffle gives Mullenweg a board seemingly composed of personal associates rather than established corporate governance figures, which could concentrate his control over Automattic further. The inclusion of IRL's co-founders is notable given that company's collapse amid revelations its user base was largely bots, raising questions about the vetting behind these appointments.
- Mullenweg announced a new Automattic board to staff via Slack on Friday.
- New members include author Hugh Howey and IRL co-founders Henry Khatachryan and Krutal Desai.
- The move follows a failed attempt by the prior board to place Mullenweg on leave and remove him.
Silo Series by Hugh Howey (Box Set) — With Hugh Howey newly named to Automattic's board, it's a great time to dive into the sci-fi saga that made him famous. The Silo series is a gripping dystopian trilogy perfect for readers curious about the mind behind the story. It's a great way to connect with the tech news of the day through great fiction.
See Silo Series by Hugh Howey (Box Set) on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: techcrunch.com — Sarah Perez, 2026-09-25
Published there as: “Automattic has a new board after failed attempt to put CEO on leave”
Read the original report → The summary and analysis above are GoKawiil's own, written from reporting by the source above. Facts and quotes belong to the original publisher.