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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ELIMINATING BANK DRAFTS AS A FORM OF PAYMENT AT UBC
This summer, UBC’s Treasury department and the Accounts Payable unit in Financial Operations initiated a pilot project to move vendors requesting bank drafts to another payment method – with great success.
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Extension to IRP Workday Timeline
The Integrated Renewal Program (IRP) governance conducted the first of three planned program readiness reviews on October 31. Following this review, a recommendation was issued to the Board of Governors to extend the timeline to ensure the successful implementation of…
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The Flow of Water: How the VPFO Safeguards UBC’s Critical Supply of H2O
Water is a crucial resource at UBC, for basic human needs and to support research and operations. The simple act of turning on a tap to access a safe and reliable water supply is something students, faculty, and staff depend…
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Grab a sweater and prepare for a cooler campus
The weather outside is cooling down, which means its time to wear warmer layers and close our windows to stay comfortable and save energy over the winter.
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SUGAR SHEET PAPER ALTERNATIVE NOW AVAILABLE TO UBC AT REDUCED RATE
Sugar sheet is manufactured using recycled sugarcane waste fibre. This “tree-free” product looks, performs, and feels just like paper — as well as being completely recyclable.
People of the VPFO
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Sam Stephens joins Safety & Risk Services as the new Director, Special Projects
Sam has a diverse background, with extensive experience leading projects and teams within Compliance, Security and Risk Management roles for organizations in the public sector.
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Srinath Srinivasan joins Safety & Risk Services as Lead Advisor, Information Security Compliance in PrISM
Srinath is a Cybersecurity professional with over a decade of experience in a diverse range of industries and sectors, including transportation, health, finance, and technology in both private and public sector organizations.
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Clayton Mullen joins Facilities as Senior Manager of Thermal Utilities in Energy & Water Services
As Senior Manager of Thermal Utilities, Clayton will bring thermal utility managerial and operational experience. He will be leading the Thermal Utilities team to improve practices and processes.
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Jonathan Weinberg promoted to Project Coordinator in Infrastructure Development, Facilities
Jonathan joined UBC in September 2019 working as a project carpenter in Building Operations. He participated in continuing education by volunteering for the Expression of Interest Program (EOI) program back in 2020, and since then has supported the crew as…
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Leadership change within the Vice-President, Finance and Operations portfolio
Peter Smailes, Vice-President, Finance and Operations, is leaving UBC to take up a new opportunity at Kwantlen Polytechnic University as their Vice-President, Administration.