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
-
Celebrating the successful delivery of Workday Adaptive training
Last week, the Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A) and the Workday Adaptive Project team celebrated the successful delivery of the Workday Adaptive training series with a graduation celebration with virtual certificates, sparkling juice — and of course, no celebration would…
-
Our purpose shapes us
Over the last 3 months, I’ve met with teams from across the VPFO, most recently with our new VPFO Project Management Team. Through these conversations one thing is always abundantly clear: what we do in the VPFO matters — deeply…
-
Samuel Akindele joins Facilities’ Municipal Services as Trades 3 Mechanic
Samuel has over 15 years of experience as Heavy Duty Mechanic. He joins UBC most recently from BC Ferries where he worked as Marine Engine Mechanic, and was responsible for Engine Overhauling, Rad Drives, and Pumps.
-
Leveraging Smartsheet for project planning and tracking
VPFO Project Management Office uses Smartsheet, a modern project and work management tool, to manage project plans, track deliverables and report on key project milestones. Safety and Risk Services (SRS) within the VPFO has also recently embraced these tools to…
People of the VPFO
-
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.
-
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.
-
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…
-
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.
-
Bryan Antenor and Marcos Kwong join Financial Operations management team
The Financial Operations team is pleased to welcome Bryan Antenor as the department’s new Customer Support Manager, and Marcos Kwong as the Manager of Procurement Services.