Welcome to the VP Finance & Operations portfolio
The nine divisions of the VPFO are responsible for the stewardship of UBC’s physical and financial assets, as well as safety and risk management for our university community.
We oversee a $3.98 billion budget, a $3.38 billion endowment, and all facilities on both campuses, as well as managing the university’s relationships with UBC Investment Management and UBC Properties Trust. In all the portfolio’s responsibilities, we are committed to the values of innovation, unity and accountability.

VPFO Strategic Plan 2024–2027
Having a strategic plan gives us a clear path, keeping everyone on the same page. Learn more about where we’re going next and how we plan to get there.
News from the VPFO
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Serving our diverse campus
UBC President and Vice-Chancellor Santa Ono recently released a statement about systemic racism at UBC. We at Safety & Risk Services and in the VPFO portfolio want to ensure we create a sense of safety, trust and security among all…
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Museum of Anthropology (MOA) Great Hall Renewal Open House
Due to precautions in place for COVID-19, public consultation for this project will take place online on Monday, June 29. Join the meeting anytime between 4:30-6:30 p.m. Construction is anticipated to start mid-late September 2020.
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New 12 MW biomass boiler arrives on campus
As part of the Bioenergy facility expansion, the anticipated 12 MW biomass fueled hot water combustion boiler arrived on campus at the Bioenergy Research Demonstration Facility (BRDF), and was craned into place for the next phase of the boiler placement.
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UBC to establish new downtown Kelowna presence
UBC will be establishing a new university presence in downtown Kelowna with plans to build a mixed-use building at the former Daily Courier location at 550 Doyle Avenue. The development will feature community-facing academic space, office space and university rental…
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Join Peter Smailes and the IRP leadership for an update on Workday
Open to all UBC faculty and staff, this call in will share the latest updates on Workday as we countdown to implementation in November 2020. Peter and other IRP leaders will address the community on the benefits of Workday, the improvements…
People of the VPFO
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Jason Wright promoted as Senior Manager, Mechanical in Building Operations
Jason held the leadership role of People & Process Manager with UBC Building Operations, leading our Mechanical Maintenance team since September 2018.
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David Kosub, Project Coordinator: 22 years at UBC before riding into retirement
David started his career at UBC 22 years ago as a cabinet maker. Since then, he has worked with many teams at over 100 buildings across campus. As he embarks on the next chapter of his life after retirement, we invited…
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Peter Lincoln joins Infrastructure Development as Project Coordinator
Peter Lincoln is the successful candidate for the position of Project Coordinator in Project Services within Infrastructure Development. David Kosub will be retiring at the end of June 2021, and Peter will be stepping into his role in Project Services.
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Parveen Mann joins UBC as Director, Human Resources
We are pleased to welcome Parveen Mann to the VPFO as our new Director of Human Resources, reporting to Vice-President, Finance & Operations, Peter Smailes, effective June 21.
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VPFO Finance Realignments Following Workday Go-Live
Many members of our VPFO team played key roles in launch of Workday at UBC, and following the success of go-live we are ready to continue modernizing our core business processes, improve how we are structured, and transform the way…