Automattic, the parent company of WordPress.com, Tumblr and WooCommerce, has undergone a significant board shake-up following a failed attempt to place its CEO, Matt Mullenweg, on leave. The new board includes a sci-fi author, a breakup expert, co-founders from the defunct social app IRL, and a former advisor from KISSmetrics. Mullenweg’s return to control was swift, lasting 33 hours and 20 minutes, a period that saw several resignations and additions to the board.

The move might be seen as a response to the ongoing legal battles with hosting provider WP Engine, but Mullenweg’s statement suggests a focus on the future: “We are living through times of unprecedented change, possibly a singularity. The next six months will determine the next 20 years of Automattic.”

The ousting and subsequent return of Mullenweg have left many questions unanswered, particularly regarding the motivations behind the initial board vote. The chaos caused by the vote and the subsequent return has raised eyebrows, with some questioning the stability of the company’s governance. Mullenweg himself acknowledged the turmoil, stating, “Last week, several board members formed a special committee and voted to place me on a leave of absence. They did this without advance warning and without giving me a meaningful opportunity to understand or respond to their concerns before they acted. I was denied even a brief extension to consult with independent legal counsel.”

With a new legal team in place and a board that includes a mix of seasoned business leaders and creative thinkers, the future of Automattic is uncertain. Will this new configuration bring stability, or will it lead to further upheaval? Only time will tell.