Sir John Woodhead (22 January 1832 - 16 April 1898) was four-times mayor of Cape Town and a local businessman.

Sir John married Margaretta Maynard in 1854 and immigrated to South Africa in 1861.

After working for a tannery, he established his own leather goods company, Woodheads, in Cape Town in 1867.

Sir John laid the last stone for the Woodhead Reservoir in 1897, and was knighted for his vision in promoting the project on 25 January 1897.

A letter in the possession of the Canadian War Museum from Joseph, written on 13 June 1900, relates that Henry took command of the Duke of Edinburgh's Own Volunteer Rifles after the commanding officer was killed in action.