Automattic Interim CFO Jeremy Klaperman Exits Weeks After Board Shakeup

Jeremy Klaperman has resigned as Automattic’s interim chief financial officer less than a month after his appointment, extending the leadership turmoil at the company behind WordPress.com. Automattic confirmed his departure but declined to explain the circumstances.

Klaperman previously served as CFO of Automattic’s WordPress VIP Enterprise business. He was appointed interim finance chief in September after a boardroom dispute briefly removed CEO Matt Mullenweg and led to several senior executive departures.

Automattic’s previous board voted to place Mullenweg on leave in September, with then-CFO Mark Davies stepping in as interim CEO. Mullenweg regained control about 33 hours later, after which the involved board members either resigned or were removed. Davies and chief legal officer Andy Missan also left.

A replacement board announced in late September included science-fiction author Hugh Howey, former IRL co-founders Henry Khachatryan and Krutal Desai, and author Amy Chan.

Disagreements Reportedly Preceded Klaperman’s Departure

According to a source familiar with the situation, Klaperman was dissatisfied that Automattic’s board was considering external candidates for the permanent CFO position. Although the company had announced him internally as interim CFO, the board reportedly had not formally approved his appointment.

The source also described a disagreement between Klaperman and Mullenweg over an employee performance review project. Mullenweg subsequently returned Klaperman to his previous position at WordPress VIP, after which he resigned, according to the account.

Automattic did not confirm those explanations. Spokesperson Megan Fox thanked Klaperman for his leadership and wished him success in his future work.

In a separate statement on X, Automattic defended its practice of considering external applicants alongside internal candidates for senior positions. The company acknowledged that such searches can cause disagreements but declined to address Klaperman’s situation directly.

Automattic is continuing its search for a permanent finance chief. When Klaperman was first appointed, Mullenweg expressed full confidence in the company’s cash position and financial stability, despite recent leadership changes.