By Dave Sebastian 



  Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. said it has appointed John Standley as president of Walgreens, effective Aug. 31. 


  Mr. Standley, who served as president, chief executive and chairman of Rite Aid Corp., succeeds Richard Ashworth, who left the company to become the president and chief executive of Tivity Health Inc. in June. 


  Alex Gourlay, who served as Walgreens president in the interim, will continue working as the company's co-chief operating officer, the company said. 


  The company in July said Stefano Pessina would step down as chief executive, kicking off a search for a new leader at the company as the Covid-19 pandemic has dented profits and complicated a turnaround. 


  Walgreens is the largest U.S. drugstore chain by stores. 


  Write to Dave Sebastian at dave.sebastian@wsj.com