can anyone help me ID these chairs  

They
certainly have a look of Race contract pieces, have you tried contacting Race?
http://www.racefurniture.com/product.asp?product=13

very
race.

thank you!
Sounds like a plan. I'll send them an email.

Wow
I emailed Race and they responded within 10mins (and at 7pm). The Managing Director stated they were "Q range reception chairs designed by Robert Heritage for Race Furniture c. 1973"
How incredibly helpful.
Thanks Ben, Robert and waffle.

.
Thanks for posting, if ID requests were like this it'd be fine, interesting chair, knowledgable honest posters and thought provoking.
What makes something look British or French or German...?

good question
I have no idea. but I will now have a long think about that.

.
Could an English designer have conceived of the chair in this manner?

Pleased
you got your ID Stewart
Hmm.. how did I know? - just a hunch, acquired knowledge.
(I thought either Robert Heritage or Ernest Race, but never speculate in public- just give the (hopefully) necessary information)

.
I suppose when you've looked at enough books, markets, exhibitions etc a kind of 'logbook' of lines, shapes and names builds up...not even conscious of it much of the time.

Yup
that's pretty much it..
*old man face*
😉
(and I studied with Robert Heritage's daughter)

Love those Rams' chairs Heath
Ahhh the 601...someday.

What is missing here
is all the things that were unnecessary and mean spirited in the Nelson/ Arbuck thread and the Richard Schultz desk for Knoll thread. It is nice to see folks playing like adults and it is a credit to our forum.
And a very cool chair as well.

This is a UK based ID thread
*runs >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

You can run, Robert...
But we'll smoke ya out.