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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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…
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Questions Relating to Working from Home
The university’s Finance and Human Resources teams have received a variety of questions relating to working from home, and this information has been prepared to provide guidance on some of these items.
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Continuation of Spreadsheet-Based Hourly Payroll Process
With the onset of measures relating to COVID-19 in March this year, UBC’s Payroll team quickly pivoted from a paper timesheet-based system to a spreadsheet-based process for the payment of hourly employees. Please note the process has been extended.
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VPFO Teams Featured in Water Canada Magazine
Several VPFO teams have been featured in Water Canada Magazine for their safe and sustainable stewardship of water on UBC’s Vancouver campus.
People of the VPFO
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Philippa Horton Joins Financial Operations as Associate Director, Procurement Partnerships
In this new role Philippa will be responsible for overseeing the university’s team of Procurement Partners, and working with faculty and administrative units to ensure they are receiving a high level of procurement, sourcing, and payment support.
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Frank Crudo returns to Building Operations as Senior Manager, Architectural
We are excited to welcome back Frank, joining Building Operations’ Trades division and leading the architectural trades. As the Senior Manager, Frank will be responsible for the short and long-range planning of building architectural systems and the supervision of staff…
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Kishani Gibbons promoted as Director, Customer Services & Informatics with Building Operations
Effective March 5, 2020, Kishani will formally take on the Business Services team, forming the new division Customer Service & Informatics in Building Operations.
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Jeetender Amritsar joins Building Operations as Facilities Manager
Jeetender is the successful candidate to take over the Teal zone after Rob Macdonald retires at the end of March 2020. He will start his new role on March 2, 2020.
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VPFO Pink Shirt Day 2019/20 Staff Video
To capture the spirit of inclusion, in 2019 we worked with our partners at UBC Studios to create a video that captures some of the excitement. The video was played for all staff at the 2020 event.