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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Increasing Collaboration with the Catchbox Throwable Microphone System
The Learning Spaces team recently received a video from the Master of Food and Resource Economics (MFRE) program where students incorporated the Catchbox, a wireless, throwable microphone that supports collaborative and interactive sessions into their presentations this summer. Take a look at the Catchbox in…
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Begin the Academic Year on Track by Ensuring Your Supplier Is Set-up Properly
This is a reminder that Purchase Orders or Outstanding Invoices cannot be issued or paid without a supplier record in Workday. To avoid procurement and payment delays, please submit your supplier setup and change requests in Workday as soon as possible.
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Faculty and staff housing targeting Passive House certification opens at UBC
Evolve is a new 110-unit faculty and staff rental building in UBC’s Wesbrook Place neighbourhood. Passive House-certified buildings consume up to 90 per cent less heating and cooling energy than conventional buildings.
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Closure of East Mall at Hospital Lane from August 24–31
East Mall between Hospital Lane and Biological Sciences Road will be closed due to District Energy System repair work from Wednesday, August 24 to Wednesday, August 31. During this time, any access for deliveries or service vehicles will be accommodated via…
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Upcoming road closures
Wesbrook Mall upgrades is nearing completion, however, Wesbrook Mall will remain closed from Walter Gage Road to Chancellor Boulevard until September 5. Thunderbird Boulevard will be impacted for the duration of the UBC Hydrogen Hub / Transportation Test Bed project.…
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.