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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New water meter installation on 16th Avenue in the University Endowment Lands (UEL)
The University Endowment Lands will be installing a new water meter on 16th Avenue as part of regular maintenance and upgrades. UBC Facilities will support this work from December 14-17, 2021 by switching over our campus water feed, once the…
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Supporting UBC Faculty of Dentistry’s simulation and digital dentistry laboratory project
Last year, UBC Dentistry announced plans for a new simulation and digital dentistry laboratory that will allow DMD and DHDP students to learn advancing dental clinical procedures. This June, UBC Supply Management & Infrastructure Development awarded the equipment contract for…
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Grab a sweater and prepare for a cooler campus
With the cooler weather outside, UBC’s heating energy will go up to compensate. During COVID-19, the Facilities team has taken measures to increase and/or enhance building ventilation in UBC buildings to ensure a high standard of safety for students, faculty…
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UBC’s Digital Payment Program to replace ePayment
UBC’s ePayment system, which allows participating UBC departments/merchants to process financial transactions online, is due to be retired alongside the Student Information System (SIS). This transition will impact a broad base of campus merchants who currently use ePayment to collect…
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Thunderbird Boulevard multi-phase road closures: November 29, 2021 to August 2022
As part of the UBC Renewable Energy Hub project, the Hydrogen Refueling Station will begin construction on Thunderbird Boulevard this week. During this project, there will be multi-phase road closures along Thunderbird Boulevard in effect between November 20, 2021 to…
People of the VPFO
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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.
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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.