Eckhard Cordes is a businessperson who has been at the helm of 6 different companies. Presently, he holds the position of Chairman-Supervisory Board for Bilfinger SE and Chairman for real,-Holding GmbH. Dr. Cordes is also on the board of Volvo AB, Tertia Handelsbeteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, WMP EuroCom AG and METRO Group International Retail Holding Ltd.

In the past he occupied the position of Chairman-Supervisory Board of McKesson Europe AG, Chairman at GALERIA Kaufhof GmbH, Chairman-Management Board & CEO of METRO AG, Chairman-Executive Board at Franz Haniel & Cie. GmbH, Head-Car Group at Mercedes-Benz Canada, Inc., Member-Executive Board at Daimler-Benz AG and Head-Group Controlling & Corporate Development at AEG AG.

He received a doctorate and an undergraduate degree from the University of Hamburg.