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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Heat recovery chiller and coils successfully commissioned
The new heat recovery chiller in Chemistry D Block would be capable of providing its forecasted 5000GJ in annual thermal energy savings, saving the university almost $50,000 per year. Chemistry E Block is on track for their predicted energy savings…
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New Biomass Boiler going through commissioning at the BRDF
The new UBC biomass boiler is going through its commissioning tests at the Bioenergy Research Demonstration Facility (BRDF). As the new boiler’s combustion is fine-tuned, you may notice some grey smoke, accompanied by a campfire scent, from the BRDF on occasion.
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Our 5th Annual Pink Shirt Day Celebration
The VPFO Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Committee presents Pink Shirt Day on February 23, 2022. Join the VPFO portfolio virtually or on campus at the University Services Building (USB) atrium in celebrating our diversity as we Lift Each Other…
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2021/2022 Year End Timelines and Procedures Call-In Session
Join us in the call-in session on February 28 to review the fiscal year-end timelines and procedures. For those who are unable to attend, a recording of this event will be made available on the UBC Finance website.
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Potential project delays dues to staffing shortage
Our Facilities teams, consultants, and contractors are experiencing labour shortages, and doing the best we can to maintain service and ensure all our projects and construction sites continue to be monitored. Some of our projects, however, may be impacted and face…
People of the VPFO
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Leadership one-on-one with our Comptroller, Karamjeet Heer
As UBC’s Comptroller, Karamjeet is responsible for ensuring the university’s fiscal sustainability by providing financial intelligence and strategy. This week she has been featured in the UBC Today Leadership One-on-One interview series.
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Yvonne Kwok promoted to Communications Manager, Facilities and Safety & Risk Services
Yvonne Kwok will be expanding her role as Communications Manager, Facilities & SRS, effective Friday, May 21, 2021.
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Dawn Irmscher joins UBC as Director of Payroll
Dawn brings a wealth of experience in finance, operations, technical, and systems implementation to the university, and most recently served as the Director of Finance for the Sooke School District in Victoria, BC.
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Lindsay Forsyth & Jeff Bosworth promoted in Municipal Services within Building Operations
Lindsay Forsyth is promoted to Sub-Head Landscape Technologist, and Jeff Bosworth is promoted as Landscape Technologist Apprentice in Municipal Services within Building Operations.
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New team members join the VPFO Operational Excellence team
As part of an effort to improve efficiencies and cost-savings while achieving service excellence within the VPFO, some team members of the Business Services team in Customer Services & Informatics (CSI) in Facilities will be transitioning to the newly formed…