As of January 8, Andrew Simpson is no longer UBC’s VP Finance and Operations. Treasurer Peter Smailes will take over the role in the interim, and the university will begin to search for a new VP “in the weeks ahead.”
It is unclear whether Simpson resigned or was fired. The university refused to comment due to privacy legislation.
In 2014, Pierre Ouillet also abruptly departed the same position, which was attributed to the university “making changes to its executive structure to better focus on academic priorities.”
Over his term, which began in June 2015, Simpson oversaw finances, treasuries and risk management services for both campuses. This partly included managing UBC’s $2 billion operating budget and its relationship with UBC Investment Management Trust, which encompasses UBC Properties Trust, the university’s endowment and other funds.
He was also credited with introducing a more transparent and inclusive budget process and beginning a process to transform and integrate UBC’s IT systems.
“The university community is very grateful for his many contributions and we wish him all the best in his future endeavours,” read President Santa Ono’s message on UBC Bulletin.