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 Facilities teams collected over 100 lbs. of garbage at Clean up the Campus
Thirty-one dedicated members of our UBC Facilities team joined forces for the 4th Annual Earth Day Clean up the Campus event, led by the Municipal Services’ Waste Management team. In total, they collected 192 pounds of litter from around UBC…
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Working together to create a smooth exam setup process
Setting up exam spaces is not an easy task. This year, the Learning Spaces team took over the coordination of final exam setup, working together with Custodial Services and Municipal Services to continue improving the exam setup process.
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Metro Vancouver’s watering restrictions come into effect on May 1, 2024
Did you know that your lawn needs as little as 2 cm of water a week— equivalent to one hour of rain or watering—to stay healthy? Starting May 1, stage 1 of Metro Vancouver’s Lawn Watering Regulations will be in…
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Parm Ubhi promoted to Assistant Chief Engineer in Energy & Water Services
Paramvir Ubhi has been promoted to Assistant Chief Engineer in UBC Facilities’ Energy & Water Services for UBC’s two thermal energy plants as of April 15.
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Ant season is here
Ants are one of the most common structural pests, capable of quickly turning from a minor nuisance into a persistent problem. Learn about what draws ants into your workspace to help manage and prevent infestations.
People of the VPFO
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Shannon Boychuk joins Safety & Risk Services in the position of Manager, Insurance & Loss Prevention
Shannon will be responsible for the management of the university’s comprehensive insurance portfolio and will act as the leader and key expert with respect to insurance policies
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Leigh Clark successfully keeping used furniture out of landfill
Since Leigh joined UBC Vancouver as a Facilities Planner with Infrastructure Development just two years ago, she has successfully identified and implemented a solution for keeping redundant furniture out of landfill and putting it to use elsewhere at the university.
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Siu Tse joins Energy & Water Services as Director of Engineering & Utilities
Siu joins us from the City of Port Coquitlam as their Deputy Director of Engineering & Operation and previously worked in City of Richmond, and Metro Vancouver.
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François Desmarais promoted to Senior Facilities Manager in Building Operations
François is the successful candidate to take on this newly created role with all of the Building Operations’ Facilities Managers reporting directly to him. François will continue to be responsible for the Brown Zone and also manage the day to…
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Announcing a new Associate Vice-President role for the VPFO
Following approval from UBC’s Board of Governors,the VPFO will be adding a new Associate Vice-President. Trish Pekeles has agreed to step forward as acting in the new AVP role until the search committee completes their work.