Automattic has appointed Jeremy Klaperman as interim Chief Financial Officer, following a series of executive departures. The move comes after an attempted ouster of CEO Matt Mullenweg, which led to the exit of the former CFO and Chief Legal Officer.
The executive changes at Automattic, including the appointment of an interim CFO and the departure of key finance and legal officers, signal internal instability and potential restructuring following a leadership challenge.
Automattic has appointed Jeremy Klaperman as its new interim Chief Financial Officer, according to an internal announcement made on Friday, September 18, 2026. Klaperman, who currently serves as the CFO of Automattic's WordPress VIP Enterprise business unit, steps into the role following a tumultuous period that saw the departure of several executives.
Last week, an attempted ouster of Automattic CEO Matt Mullenweg resulted in the resignation of the board members who initiated the move, as well as other executives, including then-CFO Mark Davies. Davies had briefly held the position of interim CEO before Mullenweg reassumed control. Mullenweg noted in a Slack post that Klaperman had previously filled the CFO role during Davies' sabbatical.
The company's board, which will include new members yet to be announced, is expected to evaluate both internal and external candidates before making a final decision on the permanent CFO. Additionally, Mullenweg announced that a candidate has verbally accepted the role of Chief Legal Officer, succeeding Andy Missan, who also departed the company along with Davies. Both Davies and Missan reportedly signed severance agreements during Mullenweg's brief absence.
Mullenweg expressed confidence in the company's financial standing, stating, "I have 100% confidence in our cash and financial position." He added that while work remains, the company's success is dependent on its execution capabilities. Further board announcements are anticipated, and special advisor Stephen Wolfram will continue in his role. The next board meeting is scheduled for September 23.