Automattic begins layoffs after board upheaval and executive departures

Automattic has begun laying off employees across several teams, including WordPress.com and its VIP enterprise business, according to TechCrunch, which cited people familiar with the cuts. The company is the parent of WordPress.com, WooCommerce and Tumblr.

TechCrunch reports that layoffs over at least the past week have affected communications, social, WordPress.com and VIP teams, with further cuts possible. Automattic CEO Matt Mullenweg told the publication last week that the terminations were not above the company’s normal numbers. Asked on Wednesday about the growing total, he said he was “mostly focused on PHP.”

The cuts follow a board upheaval after an attempt to oust Mullenweg failed in September. TechCrunch says the board was replaced and several executives departed, including the CFO, interim CFO and chief legal officer. The publication also reports that Automattic’s communications director, Megan Fox, said on LinkedIn that her role had been eliminated. Interim CFO Jeremy Klaperman left earlier this month, TechCrunch reported.

Automattic’s About page lists 1,397 staff. People familiar with the company’s plans told TechCrunch that layoffs may continue over the coming months as Automattic seeks to improve its finances ahead of a debt renegotiation expected in June. The company had not publicly confirmed that reported timeline.