John Francis Welch Jr. (November 19, 1935 – March 1, 2020) was an American business executive, chemical engineer, and writer. He was Chairman and CEO of General Electric (GE) between 1981 and 2001.

Welch's tenure at GE left a polarizing legacy. While some regarded his strategies as necessary for maintaining a productive workforce, critics pointed out the adverse effects, such as reduced job stability in the United States post-1980s. His approach influenced many other companies noted for high turnover and a competitive work culture.

Upon retiring from GE, Welch received a severance payment of $417 million, the largest in business history at the time. By 2006, his net worth was estimated at $720 million.