"...first British aircraft to be certified since the Avro RJ series of regional airliners."
Not quite.
The GameBird (
https://gamecomposites.com/gb1/ ) was designed, built and tested in the UK from 2013 to 2016. It was certified by EASA while the UK was still in EASA. Sadly, the UK did not suit the company owner and the project was relocated to the USA where it is doing well, something like 50 aeroplanes delivered. I know because I was the part of the team from 2013 to 2015.
The Airlander was designed, built and tested in the UK from 2010 to 2017. I know because I have been part of the team from since 2015. We have yet to certify it, which will be under CAA, but that will happen. Not a popular project in this forum I know but it is there and progressing in the UK.
https://www.hybridairvehicles.com/ne...edia/overview/