Han was originally a citizen of Liao dynasty from Yanjing(later known as Beijing). He was qualified as a Jinshi around the year of 1105 during the rule of Emperor Tianzuo of Liao. His family served Liao for generations. He himself was a descendant of Han Zhigu who was one of the founding members of Liao.

The first Jurchen conquest(12 century) ended the Liao dynasty. Han was then relocated to the Bureau of Military Affairs and began to serve the new ruler of Northern China. In 1128, he substituted the recently deceased Liu Zongyan as the director of Bureau of Military Affairs. In 1129, Han was appointed the left deputy director of the Department of State Affairs(尚書左僕射). However, as a native Chinese, he was not able to fully govern as a director due to the aboriginal Jurchen conventions.

In 1134, Han was summoned to Shangjing and the court of Emperor Taizong of Jin. Emperor Taizong showed his appreciation of Han's talent and authorized the establishment of administrative institutions according to the model of Song dynasty. The plan was carried out under the supervision of Han. In 1138, Emperor Xizong of Jin and Han Qixian started the Tianjuan reform which was designed to completely sinicize the administrative system of Jin dynasty. The old Jurchen Begile system was consequently abolished. As a result of the reform, the Jurchen led Jin dynasty began its shift from a nomadic tribal country to a Chinese dynasty.

Han died in 1146 at the age of 65. His full title was Duke Jianyi of Qiguo(齊國簡懿公).

九世祖韓知古，遼朝任中書令。企先是遼代乾統年間進士。遼亡，入仕金朝，任轉運使、西京留守等職。天會七年（1129年），任尚書左僕射兼侍中，封楚國公。十二年正月，為尚書右丞相，應召至上京朝見金太宗完顏晟。皇統元年（1141年）仲夏，封濮王，賜宴三日。金世宗完顏雍曾稱「漢人宰相惟韓企先最賢」，「本朝典章制度，多出斯人之手」。皇統六年（1146年2月），因病去世。韓氏生前曾推薦田瑴為接班人，完顏宗弼卻說此人該殺。

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