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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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.
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HSBC-RBC Transition project website is now live
The Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) acquisition of HSBC Bank Canada (HSBC) was legally completed on March 28, 2024. A new HSBC-RBC Transition project website has been created to help the finance community follow along with UBC’s transition plan.
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.