Automattic Interim CEO and Legal Chief Signed $8.15 Million Severance Deals
The severance terms were drafted while Mullenweg was out of control, which raises the question of whether the two executives arranged their own exit packages before the board's move against him collapsed.
Reporting from 1 source: GIGAZINE.
Automattic's interim CEO Mark Davis and Chief Legal Officer Andy Missan signed reciprocal severance agreements dated September 10, 2026, during Matt Mullenweg's brief leave from the company. The deals cover 12 months of base salary, accelerated stock vesting, one year of health insurance, and stock option exercise rights, totaling $8.15 million. Mullenweg returned as CEO after 33 hours and the board members who voted to discipline him later left.
Mark Davis took the interim CEO seat after Matt Mullenweg was placed on leave on September 9, 2026. Within a day, Davis and Chief Legal Officer Andy Missan had signed each other's severance agreements. The terms run 12 months of base salary, one year of health insurance, accelerated stock vesting, and the right to exercise vested options, totaling $8.15 million for the two.
The agreements also narrow what counts as cause for termination without severance. Gross negligence, intentional misconduct, fraud, or misrepresentation must be shown, the company must notify within 60 days, and a majority of the board must still find a problem after a 30-day cure period.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 1 cited source below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.