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.

Learn about the VPFO Strategic Plan

News from the VPFO

  • Partial closure of Engineering Road until June 15

    Engineering Road on UBC Vancouver campus will be partially closed from April 19 to June 15 due to repairs to the bridge connecting the Macleod Building and the Brimacombe Building.

    Read more: Partial closure of Engineering Road until June 15

  • Thank you

    As many of you now know by way of yesterday’s broadcast email from President Ono, I am leaving UBC at the end of May to take on the role of VP Administration at Kwantlen Polytechnic University. I want to share…

    Read more: Thank you

  • 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.

    Read more: Leadership change within the Vice-President, Finance and Operations portfolio

  • Agronomy Road closure between Wesbrook Mall to Health Sciences Mall

    Crane activity is scheduled on April 7, 2022, as part of the boiler replacement project for the existing low-pressure steam system serving the Life Sciences Centre and Pharmaceutical Sciences Building’s humidification load. During this work, Agronomy Road between Wesbrook Mall…

    Read more: Agronomy Road closure between Wesbrook Mall to Health Sciences Mall

  • Review UBC’s Updated Business Expense Rules for Faculty and Staff

    Most employees at UBC will need to use university funds to conduct university business at some time. UBC’s Business Expense Rules form the framework for incurring and reimbursing these expenses and help ensure we all use public funds reasonably, appropriately,…

    Read more: Review UBC’s Updated Business Expense Rules for Faculty and Staff

People of the VPFO