UBC Names New Vice President, Finance, Resources and Operations

Prof. Stephen J. Toope, President and Vice Chancellor of the University of British Columbia, today announces the appointment of Pierre Ouillet as Vice President, Finance, Resources and Operations.

Ouillet has held senior roles in the private sector with organizations such as McKinsey, Rogers Wireless, and Best Buy. When he joins UBC in January, 2009, Ouillet will lead such administrative and operational units as Finance, Treasury, Campus and Community Planning, Land and Building Services, Human Resources, and other business and ancillary services. He succeeds Terry Sumner, who retired earlier this year.

One of the world’s 35 leading universities, UBC conducts outstanding research and teaching at main campuses in Vancouver and Kelowna. With a $1.7-billion budget, 12,000 employees and 48,000 students, UBC is one of the largest employers in BC.

“Pierre Ouillet brings to UBC a wealth of experience in strategic consulting, business operations, and financial leadership in growing, complex international organizations,” Toope said. “These are exactly the skills needed for UBC to become an even more globally influential institution of learning, research and service.”

“UBC is an institution I am passionate about and a significant part of my community,” Ouillet said. “I look forward to contributing to the next chapters of its successful story of growth and internationalization.”

Born in France, the 41-year-old Ouillet graduated from Ecole Polytechnique in Paris and received his Masters of Science from the University of Maryland and his MBA from INSEAD.

While with Rogers Wireless, Ouillet was a senior advisor to the Executive team on corporate strategy. He then moved to Best Buy Canada in senior operations, merchandising and finance positions. Most recently, he served as Vice President, Finance for Best Buy International, a $16-billion entity with operations on three continents.

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